Yes, You Did Laugh

Yes, You Did Laugh

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14a).

The first 15 verses of Genesis 18 comprise one of my favorite passages of scripture because it illustrates how God patiently works with us to develop our faith, especially when we’re facing what seem like failed promises and false hopes. It shows how he gently calls us out for failing to take him at His word, and how his calling us out helps our trust in him to grow.

The story of Genesis 18 has God appearing in human form to Abraham and Sarah. Twenty-five years earlier God had promised them they would have a child and descendants too numerous to count. Once excited by this promise, Sarah had stopped believing it. She was beyond childbearing age when God made the promise, and now, 25 years later, it remained unfulfilled. Having a child at her age seemed impossible and Sarah was convinced it just wasn’t going to happen.

So, she laughed to herself when the Lord said to Abraham, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah was certain the Lord didn’t hear her laugh, but revealing His supernatural knowledge, God calls her out and confronts her unbelief: Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ (Vs. 13).

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.” (Vs. 15) I love this verse because it shows that God knows us; He knows our doubts and fleeting faith. And He loves us anyway, graciously drawing us to deeper faith. He wants us to take Him at His word, to believe what He says, and to trust His promises.

In confronting Sarah, the Lord asks rhetorically, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Vs. 14)

So, what do you think? Is anything too hard for the Lord? Do you believe that God is bigger than the impossible odds you’re facing? Trust His promises today.

Will you trust the Lord to lead you? Will you trust in His promises?