“Is [anything] too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. (Genesis 18:14)
“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” This is one of those Sunday School questions that everyone who has been a church member for any length of time knows the answer to: “NOTHING is too hard for the LORD.” We can rattle that answer off without thinking – and there’s the problem. We don’t really think about it and what it means for our lives. Know that nothing is impossible with God should revolutionize our walk with Him. But it doesn’t. Why? It’s because we know the answer in our minds, but we don’t live the answer in our lives because we don’t believe that answer in our hearts.
If we’re honest with ourselves, there are many truths about the Christian walk that we know, but that we don’t believe. For example, Jesus has told us, “Lo, I am with you alway” (Matthew 28:20). We know it to be true, and yet we Christians often live paralyzed by fear, especially when it comes to witnessing. Why? Because of our unbelief.
It’s something we all struggle with. Even Bible greats like Abraham and Sarah struggled with unbelief. When the LORD appeared to Abraham and promised him a son in his old age, “…Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, ‘Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?’” (Genesis 17:17) We can’t fault him for this. Such a thing had never happened before, but God assured him: “…Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed…” (Genesis 17:19a) So, Abraham trusted the LORD, even if imperfectly.
Later, the LORD appeared again to Abraham and spoke with him in earshot of Sarah, his wife. There again he reiterated His promise: “… ‘I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.” (Genesis 18:10) Sarah had the same response as her husband when it came to this incredible promise: “Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, ‘After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?’” (Genesis 18:12) Again, we cannot fault her for her response. Upon hearing her doubt, the Lord ‘doubled down’ on His promise: “Is [anything] too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:14)
As I already said, we cannot fault Abraham and Sarah for their incredulous response to God’s promise. The amazing thing is, the LORD did not fault them for it either. Because faith is not dependent on you or me. It’s dependent upon God. If God has made us a promise, He will fulfill it even if we are struggling with unbelief. How often are we surprised when God actually answers one of our prayers, and the instant that surprise enters our heart, the Holy Spirit seems to tap us on the shoulder and gently rebuke us for our unbelief?
Are you struggling through a crisis in your life? Is there some promise of God you’re holding onto, but it feels like your grip on that promise is slipping? You’re not the only one who has that struggle. Even Abraham and Sarah had that struggle, and so have saints down through the ages. Thank God that even though our faith may sometimes waver, our God never does! He keeps His promises. And though right now, as you’re struggling, that may seem impossible, know that nothing is impossible with God, really!
Grace in Waves 