Sarah's Laugh

This evening I was reminded again of Sarah's story. The story of God's faithfulness to keep His promise to her and Abraham has always been very special to me, something I hope to see in my life one day.

Tonight I read the passage where three men came to Abraham and told him Sarah would bear him a child like they have always wanted. After waiting so long for a dream that seemed would never come to pass, God has now reassured them again that they would have a child even in their old age.

Sarah laughed. I believe that she laughed not only because she and her husband were old, but because she couldn't see God fulfilling His promise. You see, Sarah and Abraham had already been told by God that she would have a son, and I believe she believed Him with everything that was within her. She wanted a child so bad she was willing to believe anything and grasp on to any little glimpse of hope. But that was long ago.

With every year that passed she began to doubt more and more. Little by little the dream she so badly wanted God to fulfill now seemed impossible. I can just imagine what the devil was telling her. "So God's going to give you a child, huh? He sure is taking his time, isn't he? How long are you going to wait? Maybe that wasn't God's voice after all." No doubt she thought about those words often. It really didn't seem like God was fulfilling His promise. Yes, I can see why Sarah laughed.

Then one of the three men said unto Abraham, "Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is anything to hard for God?" (Gen. 18.13) Wow! What a great question! Is anything to hard for God? Obviously Sarah's problem wasn't too big for God to take care of because Sarah did bear Abraham a child just as God had promised.

Now I doubt there are any 90 year old women reading this article that are still praying to have a child, but sometimes our problems do seem that big. Is it too big for God to handle? Are you laughing at God by not having faith in His power? Before you answer these questions think about how your actions speak, for they have already answered.

Later in this story we see that Sarah is laughing again. "And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me." (Gen. 21.6) This time Sarah is not laughing at God or because she is doubtful. This time she is laughing because of the joy God had given her. Those years of trusting, believing, doubting, struggling, seeking God with tears, and waiting, had strengthened Sarah and made the birth of her son Isaac so much more wonderful! She witnessed a very rare miracle that God performed through her! It was not an easy road to travel and Sarah and Abraham both made their mistakes, but God was faithful to fulfill His promise even when it seemed impossible, and the benefits were amazing!

If you are going through a similar situation in your own life, remember what the man asked Sarah, "Is anything to hard for God?" I know without a doubt Sarah would tell you, No! Nothing is to hard for God.

"And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Luke 18:27