Faith or Laughter

H – Highlight

Genesis 18:11-14 – 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" 13 The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."

E Explain

In the conversation between the Lord and Abraham, Sarah laughed when she heard the Lord say that she would soon have a child. To her, it felt ridiculous that, at her age, she could possibly conceive. But the Lord knew and reminded her that he is able to do all things.

A – Apply

Two things grab my attention from this passage and from the next. Sarah laughs at the concept of God doing a miracle in her life. Lot’s intended sons-in-law laugh when they hear Lot warn them of the coming judgment. It is easy for people, when thinking with a this-worldly mindset, to laugh at the things of God. Miracles seem laughable until the very moment that they are not.

The other thing that gets my attention is the question that the Lord asks Sarah, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” God wants us to remember that there is nothing too hard for him. He can bring miracles. He can bring judgments. And we should never let ourselves doubt his power or his presence.

R – Respond

Prayer: Lord, I am reminded of your great power and your very real presence. It is so easy, in my sin, for me to forget that your workings are real. Yes, I know that you are real and present, actively changing the world. Yet, if I am not careful, I can let myself think with a mind flooded only with the flesh and the things of this world. I pray that you will help me to live with my mind full of your power and full of genuine faith in you. Help me remember that you will do miracles of kindness. Help me remember that you will powerfully judge. Help me never to doubt or to stop thinking of you and your power first.