Waiting on the Lord with Sarah
Scripture: Hebrews 11:11 (NIV) - "And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise."
Introduction:
Sarah, initially named Sarai, stands as a matriarch in the biblical narrative, her story intertwined with the very foundation of the Abrahamic faiths. From her departure from Haran to the miraculous birth of Isaac, Sarah's journey encapsulates themes of faith, patience, and the fulfillment of God's promises, even amidst doubt and laughter. This devotional explores Sarah's life, emphasizing the growth of her faith and the lessons we can draw from her experiences for our spiritual walk.
Devotional:
Sarah's story is marked by moments of both faith and faltering, making her journey profoundly relatable. When God called Abram to leave Haran and promised to make him a great nation, Sarah was by his side, embarking on a journey into the unknown, a journey that required immense faith in God's guidance and provision.
The promise of a child was central to Sarah's narrative, a promise that seemed impossible given her age. Sarah's initial response—laughter—revealed her struggle to reconcile God's promise with her reality. Yet, Hebrews 11:11 commemorates her faith, highlighting her ability to trust in God's faithfulness despite the seeming absurdity of the promise.
Sarah's transformation from skepticism to faith invites us to reflect on how we respond to God's promises, especially when they seem delayed or improbable. It encourages us to consider God's faithfulness and his timing, which often transcends our understanding and expectations.
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Moreover, Sarah's journey underscores the value of patience and perseverance in our faith walk. The fulfillment of God's promise to Sarah was not immediate; it required years of waiting, during which her faith was tested and refined. This period of waiting can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual deserts we traverse, times when God's presence and promises seem distant, yet are integral to our spiritual growth and preparedness for what He has in store.
Sarah's eventual joy in the birth of Isaac, whose name means "he will laugh," transformed her doubt into delight, illustrating how God can turn our skepticism into sources of profound joy and fulfillment.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the story of Sarah, a testament to Your faithfulness and the power of faith in Your promises. Help us to learn from her journey, to trust in Your timing, and to persevere in faith, even when Your promises seem distant. May our doubts and waiting seasons lead us to deeper faith and greater joy in Your fulfillment. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Reflection:
Consider a time when you struggled to believe in a promise from God because of your circumstances. How can Sarah's story inspire you to trust in God's faithfulness and timing?
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1yThank you for writing this, Ee Chien. A good reminder to us all. God’s promises may not come in a way or at a time we want them, they may not even come in the form of worldly success in this world at all. Yet, they are not negated because the best things might be of quite a different quality. As C.S. Lewis wrote in “The Weight of Glory”: “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” Peace, love and joy are all yours, because you are His and He is yours. God bless you.