The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child when I am old?’ Is anything impossible for the LORD? I will return to you when the season comes round again and Sarah will have a son.”
Into the Text
Have you ever laughed at the direction of God? God told Sarah that she would have a son. To most people, this would be a promise worth celebrating. To Sarah, this seemed a laughable promise because she was nearly 100 years old.
It was in this moment that Sarah forgot who made the promise. God, the creator of the universe, can and would do the impossible. He would faithfully fulfill the promise that He made to Abraham years ago to give him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5).
The obedience in this situation can be a little hard to find. Sarah and Abraham were very old, well past the age of childbearing and likely past the age of marital intimacy. But the angel of the Lord promised that she would give birth within a year. Sarah had to believe that nothing was too hard for the Lord and then act on that belief. She had to obey the Lord and then wait to see if He was able to do the impossible. He did! Sarah conceived and gave birth to Isaac.
Sarah laughed again, but this time it was a celebration. She laughed out of joy that God was able and willing to give her a son.
Has the Lord asked you to believe that He can do the impossible? Let’s be like Sarah. Let’s let our beliefs be followed with action.
Prayer
Father God, you are able to do the impossible. Give me bold faith and a willing heart to obey anything you call me to do. May I stand in awe at the incredible work of your hands. Amen.