And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’ “Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (vv.13-14)
In today’s reading Abraham and Sarah were well past the age of having children and were still childless. To boost their faith, the Lord Himself and two strangers (who turned out to be angels) paid them a visit. He came in Person to enjoy hospitality in Abraham’s dwelling. As we saw with Adam, Eve, and Noah, God deals with people personally, with implications that ripple far into history.
Abraham and Sara’s visitors specifically promised that they would have a son within a year. Sarah laughed at the news, an understandable human reaction, but one showing a lack of faith. With supernatural knowledge of her actions and attitude, the Visitor challenged her, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (v.14). Abraham, on the other hand, “considered him faithful who had made the promise” (Heb. 11:11-12).
What a wonderful reassurance to know that God's power far exceeds our faith. Jesus said, “With God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). All things! Too often we don't really believe this. Instead of living by faith in who God is and what He has said, we “hedge our bets” to avoid embarrassing Him, so we think. We need instead to step out boldly, wholly trusting God to be all that He really is.
The Truth: But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
