Thankful for God's Faithfulness
Monday, November 9, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, 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. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing 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 18:9-14
God's promises are worth more than those of the most trustworthy person you know.
Abraham was enjoying an ordinary day with his wife Sarah, when they spotted two visitors traveling toward their tent. Excited at the prospect of entertaining guests, Sarah began preparing food for them, and Abraham went out to meet them. Abraham and Sarah welcomed the guests, and while Sarah was in the tent, the guests made a shocking promise to Abraham. God had promised Abraham years before that He would provide a nation through Abraham. A new group of people would come from Abraham's offspring. Yet years later, they had no child. I'm sure Abraham and Sarah were disappointed, confused, and left wondering about God's promise; yet here were two visitors reinforcing God's promise.
The two visitors claimed that Sarah would indeed bear a child. How could that be possible? Sarah was past "child-bearing" years. Both Abraham and Sarah were too old to become new parents. As Sarah was in the tent, she heard the promise by the visitors, and was so overcome with disbelief that she laughed at the saying. One visitor turned to Abraham and questioned his wife's disbelief, then reassured them both with these words: "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?"
God shows time and again through His Word that He is faithful to keep His promises. He promised Abraham a nation, and He miraculously provided him with a son. He promised salvation from the flood for Noah, and He gave Noah plans for the Ark. He promised the children of Israel a new land, and He led them through the desert. He promised David the throne, and He protected him from Saul's attacks. He promised the world a Saviour and provided His own Son, born in a manger one Bethlehem night. God's Word is full of examples of His faithfulness.
No matter what has happened in history, God has remained faithful. The promises He has made to His people have all been performed. If there is one surety in our world, it is that God's Word is true, and He is faithful to keep His promises.
In good times, God is faithful. In bad times, God is faithful. In times of uncertainty, God is faithful. In times of doubt, God is faithful. During transitions and changing times, God will still be faithful to His promises. He has promised to provide for you (Isaiah 41:10), to protect you (Genesis 15:1), to be with you (Hebrews 13:5), to lead you (John 10:4), and to guide your steps (Psalm 25:9). You can count on God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises!
Take a few minutes today to reflect on God's faithfulness. Consider how faithful He's been to His people throughout history. Through all the turmoil and conflict of history, God has faithfully kept the promises of His Word. As He says in 1 Samuel 12:22, "For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people."
Are you worried about something in your life? Has a situation caused you confusion and doubt? Consider the promises of God. He has never broken a single promise He's made. Don't allow the devil to cause you to worry; trust the promises of God and remember that your God is faithful no matter the situation.
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