Today’s Scripture Readings:
Psalms 5:4-12
Genesis 16:1 - 18:19
Matthew 6:1 -24
Proverbs 2:1-5
Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 16:1 - 18:19
Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, "Will I really have a child, now that I am old? Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son. (Genesis 18:13-14 NIV)
How
could she help but laugh? It seemed too good to be true.
"So Sarah laughted to herself as she thought, 'after I am worn out and
my master is old, will I know have this pleasure?'" She had
longed for a child for many years. Now, well after her childbearing
years were over, God promised that she would bear a son.
The promise had come earlier, of course (but it was impossible then too). She had given up hope and even come up with an alternative scenario (remember Hagar and Ishmael?). Abraham bargained with God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" But Ishmael was not God's answer to the promise.
Abraham and Sarah were promised a son, Isaac (meaning Laughter). Indeed he would be the laughter of an old couple who had no hope of their own--a source of joy that only the God of the impossible could bring.
God said it best, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" How true. When confronted by the improbable--even the impossible--we too may laugh. Often God's promises seem too good to be true. But we serve a God who is able to do the improbable--even the impossible. Therefore the laughter should not come from doubt, but from the joy that flows from hope (Rom. 15:13).
"The saint is hilarious when he is
crushed with difficulties because the thing is ludicrously impossible to
anyone but God."
--Oswald Chambers (My Utmost, Aug. 2)--
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow’s Scripture Readings:
Psalms 6:1-3
Genesis 18:20-19:38
Matthew 6:25-7:14
Proverbs 2:6-15
The promise had come earlier, of course (but it was impossible then too). She had given up hope and even come up with an alternative scenario (remember Hagar and Ishmael?). Abraham bargained with God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" But Ishmael was not God's answer to the promise.
Abraham and Sarah were promised a son, Isaac (meaning Laughter). Indeed he would be the laughter of an old couple who had no hope of their own--a source of joy that only the God of the impossible could bring.
God said it best, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" How true. When confronted by the improbable--even the impossible--we too may laugh. Often God's promises seem too good to be true. But we serve a God who is able to do the improbable--even the impossible. Therefore the laughter should not come from doubt, but from the joy that flows from hope (Rom. 15:13).
--Oswald Chambers (My Utmost, Aug. 2)--
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow’s Scripture Readings:
Psalms 6:1-3
Genesis 18:20-19:38
Matthew 6:25-7:14
Proverbs 2:6-15