Delighting in the Word

Whenever I read the book of Genesis, I’m always struck by the story of Abraham and Sarah. When Sarah was told that she would have a child in her advanced age, she laughed. All she could see was her and Abraham’s old age and their tired, worn-out bodies.In her limited human thinking, she just didn’t see how they could possibly have their own biological child, even though the Lord had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. (She then lied about the fact that she laughed and tried to cover up her doubt. Oh, she was so human, just like us.)

     “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen 18:14)

     There are times when I totally understand Sarah’s reaction. She was so impatient and full of doubt that the Lord would deliver what He promised that she took matters into her own hands and used her servant Hagar to bear Abraham’s child. How many times have we grown weary of waiting on the Lord and tried to rush His plan? But this usually leads to heartache, and sometimes has negative repercussions for those closest to us. For Sarah, she was overcome with jealousy and bitterness over Hagar and cast her out into the wilderness, to fend for herself and her son Ishmael. 

     This story has come up in conversation a lot, so I think the Lord is trying to tell me something. So many of us have long-held dreams in our hearts, things that we want and feel called to do, but we have faced obstacles. It’s so easy to get discouraged and want to give up. But if God put that desire in our heart, then He will make a way! We just have to be patient and trust His timing. Scripture is full of stories of God keeping His promises. He always shows up, right on time.

     “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”