I know that there are several great examples that we could apply to our lives, but right now with everything we are facing in life and in ministry ... I feel like at this moment I can identify with Sarah (formerly Sarai).
During our Sunday School classes we have been learning all the lessons surrounding Abraham (formerly Abram) and Sarah. We had began with their amazing journey of faith to an unknown land just simply trusting in and following God's lead. This past week we were discussing how God surprises us in tough situations. My lesson was using Sarah and the promise of her son as an example. I had asked the kids "Why do you think Sarah laughed" and they gave me the per usual answers all revolving around the basic answer of "disbelief". Well God used one 12 year old to really speak to me when she responded with "Maybe part of the reason she laughed was to cover up fear."
And then that's when it hit me that right now ... I can most identify with Sarah. This couple and their faith up to this point is already amazing. They trusted God and did as instructed. When Sarah was about 65ish God promised Abraham that he would be the father of nations. Though she was already up in years they took on this promise with joy and excitement. Ten years went by and Sarah was still barren. So at this point, they take matters into their own hand. She tells hubby to sleep with her servant, Hagar, to bring forth the promise. All the while telling herself that this is the way it must be done. Once the deed is done she regrets it. Ishmael is born approximately a year later. Then 14 years later (Abraham was 99) they get some visitors. Angels of the Lord telling Abraham that the time has come for the promise and that they would have a son a year later. Sarah overhears this conversation and laughs. They confront her as to why she laughs.. she lies and they tell her as such. They named Him Isaac because God brought her laughter... disbelief turning into joy.
This Story is found beginning Genesis chapter 12 to about the 18th chapter. There are so many interesting points about this story, but right now let me share what I identify with. Here Sarah is with a promise, that in the beginning she holds on to. As time goes on her hope seems to grow less and less. She, at one point, gets tired of waiting for it to happen so she takes things into her own hands... and by the time she realizes her mistake the damage is already done, Ishmael is born. When she is 89 years old God tells her husband that she will give birth to that promised son in one year. She laughs. At this point, can we as humans blame her? Even they say it themselves... look at their age... it's impossible. And, as that 12 year old pointed out, perhaps in the midst of the disbelief she laughed out of fear. Perhaps she laughed not only in disbelief but out of hurt and hopelessness. Perhaps a thought on her mind was "I've waited for so long, I've hoped this long, I've already messed up things with Hagar, do I dare to hold on to hope again that this will come to pass?"
I identify with this at this point in my life, because so many promises I have been given by God for my life and the ministry I've been called to. I know God has called hubby and I for big things, I know God has something big in mind for our church. I know all the wonderful promises God has for our lives. And just like Sarah I had embraced them with passion and enthusiasm. And after waiting... and waiting.... I have even a time or two tried to make the promises come to pass by my own means... and of course it didn't pan out LOL. I am now at the point where I want to ask "do I dare continue hoping?"
God is so full of Grace and mercy and PATIENCE isn't He? Sarah laughed in disbelief, in hurt and fear... but even despite her being so weary God lovingly confronted the issue. (Genesis 18:13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD ? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." 15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh." But he said, "Yes, you did laugh.") God confronted the issue of disbelief, the issue of hurt and hopelessness and in doing so she was able to hold on to the promise once again.
There was a glimmer of hope restored to her.
Genesis 21:1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.
I am in tears with this realization. I have been feeling so weary. And honestly I have been afraid. Things are getting thick spiritually and physically. I find myself asking more frequently "God when? God how?" And yet God is gracious to me by using a 12 year old in my class to point me to a new thought I hadn't yet considered. God is restoring my hope. He is turning my laughter of disbelief and given up on hope into laughter of joy and continued hope.
Luke 1:37 ...For nothing is impossible with God."
My hope is being restored, and I pray that as you read this and consider the promise of God in your life, that your hope in the impossible will be restored. God always comes through... no matter how bad things look.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I am being perfected, not punished. And so with that in mind I will dare to hope, dare to believe that though I can not tell the time when it will come to pass.. I know that it WILL.
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