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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.
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27
The first time he left Egypt, Moses ran in fear and disgrace. He was a success story from the beginning. Hidden in some weeds by his mother to escape the brutal murder that thousands of other baby boys did, he was welcomed into the house of Pharaoh and rose to the top of Egyptian leadership.
But now, having murdered an Egyptian for beating one of his fellow Israelites, he ran for his life into the desert. Afraid, alone and no doubt feeling very defeated.
One day, years later, Moses was tending sheep when he saw a bush erupt into flames. This wasn’t uncommon in the noon day heat of the wilderness. Sometimes a bush would burst into flames and burn up for no apparent reason. This bush, however, didn’t burn up and Moses stopped what he was doing to gain a closer look.
God used the burning bush to call Moses back into service for him. Even though he had murdered a man and left in disgrace, God still had a plan for Moses. God sent Moses back to Egypt with courage to accomplish what God wanted him to do.
Moses courageously returned to Egypt and demanded that the king let his people go. The King refused until, after many miracles and plagues, the King and all the people of Egypt begged the Israelites to leave their land. They even loaded down the people with gifts and livestock for their journey into the wilderness.
Like Moses, each of us has times when we flee into the wilderness. We’ve failed at some point in our lives. We’ve made bad decisions that have hurt others, destroyed our careers or damaged our reputations. We live in fear, guilt or remorse always wondering how life would be different if we’d made a better decision here or there.
With God, failure isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of new and exciting opportunities to live for God. Once in the wilderness God had Moses in a position where God could speak to him, teach him and send him back to Egypt to be victorious. No matter what has happened in your life God wants to do the same for you.
Where ever you are on the journey of life don’t forget to look for the burning bush. Look for things that God is bringing into your life to teach you, guide you and empower you. No matter what you have done in life, no matter how angry or bitter or afraid you are God wants to take you from the wilderness you are in and help you succeed.
Don’t be afraid of the future. Once Moses saw the burning bush he realized that God could accomplish anything. Draw close to God. Moses spoke face to face with God, just as you can through prayer. Moses heard what God had to say to him, just as you can through reading the Bible and meditating on what He has to say to you.
Keep your eyes focused on what you can’t see! As a Christ-follower, remember that God is with you through His Holy Spirit. You are never alone. You are never unseen. In fact scripture tells us that God’s angels are everywhere, protecting us, guiding us and watching over us with the same love and admiration that God Himself has. We won’t know until we get to heaven how many times an angel has intervened to save us.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father. I thank you for the example we have in Moses of how you can use anyone to accomplish your tasks, no matter what terrible and evil things we have done. Right now, I’m living in a wilderness. I’m afraid of the future, ashamed of my past and unable to live the way I want to in the present. I ask that you would help me to see the unseen. To live realizing that You have given me everything I need for today so that I can live in victory. Give me the courage of Moses to be strong in You. Amen.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28:6a
Life can take turns we don’t expect. Sometimes those turns blindside us, catching us off guard and forcing us off the main road onto some narrow and treacherous wilderness path.
Relationships fail. Friends and family we always thought we could count on abandon us or alienate us because they feel betrayed or are apathetic to our pain. Lovers we thought would always be there for us change their minds and look for a ‘better offer’. Careers once thought secure go down in smoke.
Sometimes the biggest disappointments in life come from our own failures. Try as we might, we can’t kick the addictions. We struggle with lust. We want, so we spend money we don’t have to get what we don’t need and find ourselves buried in the canyons of debt.
Like the Apostle Paul, our life battle cry seems to be, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:15 (NLT) We strive so hard to be faithful, but worry and doubt when God doesn’t do what we were hoping He’d do. We try to be Christ-like in thoughts and words and deeds until that person, our nemesis, attacks us again and we retaliate. And with each brick of failure we build a wall that imprisons us and keeps us from experiencing the fullness of life.
And then, on those days when we aren’t beating ourselves into the ground there are those who are more than willing to point out our failures. They attempt to force us into their molds. They question our faith, our sincerity, our ability…and even our sanity! And we add another brick.
That’s why I believe in Easter. Easter reminds me that all of this isn’t about me. It’s not about the church I attend. It’s not about religious dogma and tradition. It’s not about these distinctives or that doctrine. It’s not about the songs we sing, the instruments we play or the name on the sign on the church I attend. It’s not about my marital status, my bank account, my credit rating or the past mistakes I’ve made. It simply is NOT about me.
Easter, like life itself, is about Jesus. He left Heaven to live among us beggars and show us how to love each other as servants. He died to take the punishment we deserved and by so doing, to make forgiveness available to me. He rose so that someday I can go home to be with Him. I can’t wait. I love the beauty of this world but it’s nothing compared to what waits for me on the other side.
The longer I travel on life’s journey the more I realize that no one; NO ONE understands like Jesus. He has seen me through life’s darkest times. He’s been there when I’ve been abandoned and when I’ve ignored Him. He’s welcomed me back when I’ve rebelled and come back beaten and battered. He is, has been and will be a friend that will never, ever leave me. He’s proven himself to be a friend that is closer than a brother.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus. My friend, my comfort and my protection. On this day, more than any other I’m reminded of how unworthy I am to be able to call You Lord. I bow before you in gratitude for all you have done in my life. For the times You’ve opened your arms to me when I’ve failed and comforted me when others have failed me. Thank you for forgiving my stubborn rebellion. Thank you for giving me second and third and forth chances. Thank you that I am your number one. Your masterpiece. That even though I feel like a failure at times You look on me with pride. Amen.
Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. Isaiah 59:1 (NLT)
Remember when you were growing up and when you were in school? Whenever the ‘adult’ or person in authority questioned your level of attention they would pause and say, “Listen to me!” They said that because they were about to say something of extreme importance and they didn’t want you to miss it.
The people of Israel were in desperate striates spiritually. It seemed like everyone from the religious and spiritual leaders to the common shepherd had made up their own rules about how to worship God, how to follow his ways and what God was going to do for Israel.
Chapter 59 of Isaiah lists all the areas in which the Israelites were falling short. Their society was a mess. There was no such thing as justice. God’s people had gotten so entangled in sin and tradition there was no hope of true worship.
In the midst of Isaiah’s teaching he says (on behalf of the Lord) “LISTEN TO ME!” It’s as though he is a discerning parent. He sees their minds are wandering and they are on information overload. What He is about to tell His people must be heard.
The message to the Israelites and to us is this. Our sin separates us from God. Sin doesn’t separate us from God because He hates us. Sin separates us from God because He hates sin. The good news is that in the midst of our sin God promises that He is strong enough to save you.
We live in horrible times. Families are being torn apart by divorce, violence and emotional and physical abuse. Our ‘justice’ system seems more intent on protecting the special interest groups and punishing the victim. Greed, hatred and anger permeate every part of our world.
God’s message through Isaiah is this. You may have been terribly abused emotionally, physically or spiritually. You may feel like you have been abandoned by family, friends and even God. That simply isn’t true. There is nothing you have done, or nothing that has been done to you that God can not help you through.
Let Him wrap His strong arms of love and forgiveness around you. Talk to Him. Tell Him EXACTLY how you feel. Don’t sugar coat your feelings (He knows anyway). Believe in yourself. Believe that no matter what other people have told you and no matter how you have been treated by other people, you are loved passionately by God. That’s why He sent Jesus to die for you. Trust Him to do a work of healing and to empower you for the battles you face today. His arms are much stronger than any battle you will face. There is nothing that will distract Him from giving you His undivided attention.
PRAYER: Dear God. There are times when I wonder if You can really change things around here. I’m such a mess. I’ve tried so hard to make changes in my life, my attitude and my feelings. Nothing seems to work. Help me to believe that You are strong enough to lift me from this mess and love me enough to want to do that. Forgive me for my part of the mess I’m in and empower me to live completely for you. Amen.
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3
He was just an obscure shepherd. His family and his story suddenly appear in scripture out of nowhere. Abraham was untested when God promised him that he would be father of a great nation. In fact this promise was made before Abraham lied to the Pharaoh by telling him Sarah (his wife) was his sister to save his own skin (he did this twice), slept with his maid to produce his first son and abandoned his first son! Yet Romans tells us that Abraham believed in God and it was his belief, not his worthiness the caused God to look upon him as righteous.
Abraham was also chosen to be a blessing. God’s blessing upon Abraham resulted in those around him being blest. The source of this blessing was God’s work, not Abrahams. He did nothing to solicit the blessing others received nor did he do anything to deserve God’s using him as a tool of blessing. Scripture implies that Abraham really had no part in who was blest or who was not.
God’s protection was upon Abraham. Those that cursed Abraham were cursed by God. Again, Abraham had no part in this. When God’s protection is upon us we have no need to defend ourselves. God’s protection does not mean we will not endure attack. It does not free us from adversity. It does not guarantee that tragedy will not be a part of our life. What it does mean is that when we trust in God fully, He will build a shield around us. Nothing can separate us from the love and protection of Almighty God.
While none of us will be ‘a father of a great nation’ there are lessons each of us can learn from this story. First of all, God doesn’t wait for you to clean up your act or prove yourself or get an education or reach a certain age or place in life before he can use you. He is able to use you no matter what your past, regardless of mistakes you have made or the place you find yourself in life.
Secondly, where ever you go. Whatever situation you find yourself in. Regardless of how you got to the place you are in life. God’s protection is upon you. He is a passionate lover who will go to any length to make sure you are protected. You have no need to defend yourself. It isn’t up to you to ‘get even’ with those who attack you. God will take care of them in His time, in His way.
Lastly, you are blessed by God. Abraham looked forward to the promise of a great nation and a son who would be an eternal King. You can look back to the coming of that promise in Jesus Christ. His love and forgiveness will carry you through today and tomorrow, just as it did yesterday. Not only can you look back to the cross, you can look forward to that day when Jesus will come again to right the wrong and to end death, sickness, greed and hatred forever.
PRAYER: Father God. I’m once again humbled as I realize how much You love me. Like Abraham I, in no way deserve the life you have given me in Jesus. I fail miserably in what I say, do and think. I get angry at those who mistreat me. I defend my actions and retaliate in my own subtle ways. I hereby give you permission to do what you do best; protect me from my enemies, rid me of the past guilt and shame and bless those around me by the life you live through me. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 