Genesis 17:15-22
For many years God had been speaking to Abraham about the son He would give him and we know that Abraham had believed the promise. But it seems that, until this moment Abraham had not realised that the mother of this son would be his wife, Sarah and, when the Lord spelled it out to him, he laughed in disbelief. The idea that he, at the age of 100, and Sarah, aged 90, would have a baby seemed too ridiculous for words. There was no way that was humanly possible. But God was not thrown by his disbelief; He simply reiterated His statement, adding that in a year’s time Sarah would give birth to the baby whom they were to call Isaac.
After the Lord had left Him, Abraham was left with a dilemma. Was he going to believe the obvious natural facts and call God a liar, or would he let his faith be stretched even further than before and dare to believe what God had said? The New Testament gives us the answer.
Romans 4:19-21 “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. [20] He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, [21] and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”
Although his initial reaction to the promise was incredulity, Abraham knew that his God was a keeper of His word. He had proved Himself faithful many times over the years, so Abraham chose not to focus on the natural facts but on what the Lord had said. He put greater importance on God’s word than the evidence of his natural senses and the understanding of his natural mind.
We face the same choice every time our circumstances appear to contradict the promises of God. When we are sick do we believe the doctor’s report, or do we believe the word of God, which tells us that by Jesus’ stripes we are healed (1 Peter 2:24)? When we face lack do we focus on our bank balance, or do we trust the God who says He will provide for our every need (Philippians 4:19)? When life does not seem to be working out the way we want it to do we believe that we will always be a failure, or do we believe the One who says we are His workmanship created for the good works He has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10)?
God’s plans do not always make sense to us. They may not even look possible from where we are standing but, if He has said it we need to believe it, because He never lies or changes His mind (Numbers 23:19). His word stands forever.
2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Prayer
Faithful Father,
I recognise my tendency to live according to what I see and know by my natural understanding. I can see that You are wanting to stretch my faith so that I will trust You and follow You wherever you lead me. Thank You that Your vision and purpose for me are so much greater than mine. Help me to become a person who expects You to work in supernatural ways and dares to believe for the impossible.
Amen.
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