Abraham & Sarah

Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:5-6, Genesis 16:13, Genesis 17

If there is one thing to keep in mind while reading the stories of Abraham and Sarah, it’s that they are old…Like OLD, old. Abraham (who was once named Abram), the uncle of Lot, at age 75, was told by God that he would “make him a great nation” (Genesis 12: 1-3). Interestingly, Abraham and his wife, Sarah (Sarai), struggled to have children.

God had given promises to them in Genesis 15:5-6:

“He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars if you can number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord and counted it to him as righteousness.”

This promise brought hope but also brought on the complexities of reality. Sarah had not been able to have a child, so how could their offspring be numbered like the stars? They were getting too old; how could they have a child?

God shows Abraham and Sarah that he is not limited to their flesh, circumstances, or life stage. He can do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), and it doesn’t depend on us but on God to move according to His will. So as you read today, you may carry the weight of desire for something you don’t have yet. I don’t want this to feel like a “just have hope” pep talk, but restore a deep belief that a God cares for you (Genesis 16:13) and sees you in the midst of it. It cannot be hidden from him, so don’t allow yourself to hide. Instead, be like Abraham and give your doubts to God. Like Sarah, remember that your circumstances do not define the goodness of God.

What is something hard to hope in God for? How can you build hope in God amid the waiting and toil?