So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Genesis 18:12
God’s promise of a son was long overdue. During the time of Abraham and Sarah a man’s wealth was measured by the amount of livestock owned and children fathered. Many a wife was cast aside or socially alienated if children weren’t brought into the mix. Although it sounds harsh in our world today, sons were more highly honored than daughters as well.
It’s really no surprise then that Sarah was little bitter and skeptical when the visitors arrived that day. The Bible refers to the three as ‘the Lord’. Was this an earthly, temporary manifestation of the trinity? We aren’t sure. What we do know is that God was present and he had a special message of hope for Sarah. Finally, at long last, just one year from now she would bring the promised son into the world.
The promise was really a restatement of a promise given long ago without any sign that it would be fulfilled. Since then Sarah offered up her maid-servant to Abraham and a son was born to this couple. Among other things, the birth of this baby caused conflict in the family (a conflict that goes on today) and reminded Sarah once more that she was the problem. After all, if Abraham had no trouble fathering a son with Hagar, he obviously wasn’t the problem, right?
We may tend to look down on Sarah for scoffing at God. We can talk about how she is showing a lack of faith or trust. We can question her patience. But in reality each of us is guilty at times of laughing at God’s promises for us.
God’s promises DON’T ALWAYS FOLLOW NATURAL LOGIC. Sarah was well past childbearing age. It was a biological impossibility for her to bear children. If we believe God to be who we say He is we also must acknowledge that He is not bound to the laws of nature. He controls nature. Nature does not limit or control God. Sarah made the mistake of believing in the order of nature, rather than believing the promise of God.
God’s promises COME IN HIS TIME NOT OURS. We live in a microwave world. Everything is instant from our potatoes to the way we communicate. As Sovereign God our Father knows best the timeframe for the events of our lives to take place. Waiting for God’s timing is difficult now, but much better for the future.
God’s promises DO NOT ALWAYS RELY ON OUR ABILITY TO BELIEVE OR UNDERSTAND. God told Sarah she would have a son in one year. Sarah laughed in disbelief and later lied to try to cover up that laughter. Even so, one year later she was holding her very own son. Imagine the joy she must have felt just three months after the visit when she felt the stirrings of life inside of her. For the next nine months Sarah carried with her the realization that God is truly God and His promises do come true.
God’s promises ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON ANYTHING WE DO. Later in Genesis (Genesis 21:1) the Bible says that God extended Grace to Sarah. She didn’t deserve to have that baby. Imagine. She laughed in the face of almighty God. God’s promises are based on His ability to fulfill them, not on our worthiness to receive them.
Don’t let time and circumstances allow doubt to creep into your mind. God can do great and mighty things in your life! God’s promises are for you and you don’t have to do or be anything to receive His promises! It may take longer than you think or wish, but in time He will accomplish in you all that He desires as you grow in relationship to Him.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I have to admit to you that I am impatient at times with You. It seems like you have promised me things and it takes much longer for those things to come to pass than I’d like. Thank you for the things you have done in my life and for the fact that you will accomplish all you desire for me. Help me to learn to trust you more and wait for you to work as only you can do. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 
18 comments
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January 2, 2011 at 7:14 am
2010 in review « Built with Grace
[…] Waiting for God’s Promises April 2010 3 […]
June 26, 2011 at 1:06 pm
steve temple
Those were vere comforting words to me at this time in my life. I’ve been tithing, believing God for his promise. Someime I get impatient but never the less, I know God keeps his promises. My flesh gets the best of me. I get to looking at my problems and become fearful. I will continue to believe God for his word and wait patiently. I truly believe that one could not be in a better place than waiting on the Lord. Gods word will not fail and it will prosper where ever it it goes.
Thank you, Steve Temple
June 27, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Mike Fisk
Thanks Steve. Your comment ministered to me as well. It’s so easy to ‘believe God’ when things are going our way, but so difficult then life turns for the worst. But God is good all the time and I too will rest on his promise…and pray for patience! 🙂
July 13, 2011 at 10:34 am
Nova
This is a great word to me. I am over 50 years old and although God has done tremendous things in my life and placed me “before great men,” to sing and witness, I always thought I would grow from there and keep moving forward to travel all over the world ministering. Yet, here I am working 9-5 while my peers are thriving in their singing ministry. I have had to learn that my path is unique, and God is constantly working on me in the area of patience! God bless you for the encouragement.
July 21, 2011 at 9:03 am
Mike Fisk
Thank you Nova for your words as well. My ‘desire’ is in the speaking realm and like you, find myself over 50 and working a job I enjoy but long to be able to share what God has done for me through the spoken word. Our paths, while similar, are, as you said, unique. One more example of how great our God is. Like snowflakes, none of us is ‘the same’. I have prayed for you, that your song will not be diminished during this time and that you will experience all the fullness and freedom God has given each of us to be ourselves. God Bless you as well.
August 22, 2011 at 2:11 am
Lucy
God is supercalaisfragalistic, when it comes to his promises, if you all have had a nudge, to show you the way, or you know its not you who is thinking something, then you must hold on to that thought, and keep going over and over and over that all the time, remember that if God has promised you something and you know its not from you, hold on to that, and it will come to pass, GOD NEVER LIES.
August 22, 2011 at 8:22 am
Mike Fisk
AMEN! Thanks for the words Lucy. It’s so hard sometimes, especially when it seems like God’s promises are too long in being fulfilled, to remember that he never ever lies. His word is true. God Bless your day!
October 1, 2011 at 11:24 am
Lucy
Hi,
My name is Lucy to or Lucille, (which means Light ) And I have been shown the light from God, I believe he does give you what you ask for if you believe, and you work towards what you are wanting, I had a fantastic 3 days of high, jumping, reality, energy, trust, belief, electricity, nudges, and telling me where to go, what to look at, and knowing, thats the biggest, and I know all of you, if you have the knowing evan though we have a bit of doubt, sometimes, and its not normal if you dont, but there is still that trust behind it, and when its time, God will shine, it has to be his time, after all we would all mess it it up in ours. So ask and ask and ask Trust and believe.
Love you all
LUcy
October 2, 2011 at 7:53 am
Mike Fisk
Thanks Lucy! We serve a God who is intent on our success. He loves to giive us what we need in life. God Bless!
October 27, 2011 at 10:43 pm
God's girl
Thank you for the reminder to wait on God to fix our job situation. Thanks for the encouragement!
October 28, 2011 at 6:13 am
Mike Fisk
You are welcome God’s girl. Glad you were encouraged. I pray that what ever is going on with your job will be resolved soon. Remember, sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes he calms his child. God Bless!
February 19, 2012 at 8:49 am
bessie
i have been motivated by this message. there are days i loose faith as to if my situation will change but am encouraged
February 19, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Mike Fisk
Thanks for stopping by Bessie. I think there are days when each of us struggles with faith issues. Especially when things go wrong. I’m glad you were encouraged in your walk. May the Father continue to show himself to you in the midst of the storm. God Bless. Mike
March 12, 2012 at 3:57 am
tomi
God is a faithful God who can’t tell a lie. Waiting can b difficult n painful sometimes especially when your mates have gone ahead of you. But waiting is worth the price if we are patient.Thank you for this encouraging word at this trying time.
March 12, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Mike Fisk
Thanks Tomi and thanks for stopping by. Patience is hard when times are tough. Be Blessed! ~Mike
March 12, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Mike Fisk
Thanks Tomi & thanks for stopping by! Mike
June 12, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Casey
Thanks for this. I think these two responses match what is happening to me: “I had a fantastic 3 days of high, jumping, reality, energy, trust, belief, electricity, nudges, and telling me where to go, what to look at” I got a batch of checks in the mail (when I moved back from Germany), a link to someone who could help with the programming and money found miraculously. I took it as a sign that God wanted me to pursue this dream/idea. Then, the money ran out, had no leads, attempts to make contacts were failing and I was running into walls. My hair fell out. Everything was just a struggle. Even family & friends were not supportive. When I ran out of money, a good chunk came in an unexpected way. I got a job that I needed a month to recover from after the lead programmer decided to fire me. I got the additional monies though.For that I was grateful but that time was full of struggle as well and severe stress.
For now, this is the one that applies: “Waiting can b difficult n painful sometimes especially when your mates have gone ahead of you” With my antennae reaching out to the universe (the best way I can describe it), I feel excitement like things are going be breakout, explosive good stuff. Tears fall. In the end, the inside feeling that something fantastic is coming won’t go away. Now, after reading this article, trying to be negative and “face reality” has become much harder. Delusional.
June 12, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Mike Fisk
Casey, All I can say is WOW, what a story. I’m glad that these words could help you in the journey. It is hard when we step out in faith and others don’t always see the same vision we do. I think of Joseph and his visions, then having them dashed, but good coming in the end. I pray you will continue to see God provide in miraculous ways! Thanks for sharing.
Mike