City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

⁹ They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” ¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.

Genesis 18:9-11 (ESV)

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:11 (ESV)

Reflection

It took courage of Sarah to stand by the door to hear what the Lord had to say to Abraham. I could only imagine the tears and sorrow that she had when going through menopause and realizing she physically could no longer have children. Trying to hold onto the covenant promise from God could only take her so far and doubt crept into her mind many times, wondering if the Almighty God could truly hold to what He said He would do.

God picks the right time to come and see us, and this may never be the time we expect. Sarah may have been barely holding on to hope as each day she felt less and less confident on her being the woman to carry the seed of Abraham. I could picture her sitting at the tent door, hoping beyond hope for some encouragement in her faith. She needed to be reminded that God’s promises held true and God picked the exact right time to show up. God wanted to let us know that the baby who would be born was not based on anything that Abraham or Sarah did. They did not nothing to fulfill the promise and God made sure that this was a miracle that only He could do, just like the miracle of the virgin birth was not something Mary partook in.

So what was it that both Sarah and Abraham did do? They lived by faith and trust in God. Maybe not without doubt, but doubt is being human. God knows when and where we need encouragement to keep trusting Him, and this was Sarah’s confirmation from God. She wanted encouragement in faith by moving close to the door and not sitting in the back. God called out to her and gave her the hope she so desperately needed to keep her faith strong.

Application

Are you beginning to lose out on hope that God will do something in your life? The waiting can take years and you may be hoping desperately for an answer. Use this opportunity to be like Sarah who moved closer to hear what God had to say. She sought God and was encouraged in her faith to keep believing in the promise God had given her.

Seek God and keep knocking on the door. He who is faithful will surely provide for all your needs.

Prayer

Father in heaven, help me to be faithful and trusting in You. Sometimes I feel that I am stuck in a rut, waiting for You to move in my life. Let me use this time to grow closer to You and to listen when You speak. You love and guide me, let me not forget this in the hard times. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.