Genesis 18:12-14 SO SHE LAUGHED to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah LAUGH and say, “Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything TOO HARD FOR THE LORD? I will return to you at the APPOINTED TIME next year and Sarah will have a son.”
Yes, we almost always associate laughter with pleasure and a good sense of humor. But no, not so in Sarah’s account. Then, why did she laugh? If you were placed in her shoes, what would be your reaction at such unexpected news? I must admit, I would react the same. Why, because I believe Sarah did not laugh out of PLEASURE, but rather out of FEAR.
Lets face it; waiting can be tough. Waiting can seem endless, and yes, at times there is no guarantees that whatever you are waiting for, will come to pass. But all the same, you wait. Sarah had been around in the waiting season for most of her adult life. Twelve months, a year, she hoped and waiting…but there was no sign of a bulging belly. Yet, she didn’t get deterred. She LIVED from one month to the other, and then, the following year to the next decade. And still...NOTHING happened. Of course…GOD, the GOD OF ABRAHAM, her husband had promised him a son. And for that reason alone, she stayed hopeful.
Then something changed. Something began happening to her body and with time…without being told, she knew now for certain that IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE for her to conceive. She was now past the child-bearing period. Suddenly, at that point…some visitors came by at her house with a bold declaration. THIS TIME NEXT YEAR…SARAH WILL HAVE A SON!
Like Sarah, we all have been there. In some way or another the Lord gives us a promise. And yes, it seems long in coming. But, we waiting patiently at first. Then, things begin working against us. And before long…the promise looks literally as if it has been TERMINATED. And even though, you believe in the power of resurrection, in this case…it doesn’t seem applicable. SARAH TOO, THOUGHT THE SAME ABOUT GOD’S PROMISE TO THEM. She had stopped ovulating…in the real sense of that word…she was old. SO SHE LAUGHED. Not at God, but at the SEEMINGLY WRONG TIMING. She didn’t see herself fit for her blessing…SHE WAS WORN OUT.
Is that you? Do you feel you have waited for God for too long…that even when He speaks to you through someone else, you silently laugh and wonder, why now? A dozen time over, I have been there. But no matter how long I have to wait, I know...HIS APPOINTED TIME WILL COME. In fact, like Sarah…I have been waiting for the last 10 years for HIS PROMISE to come to pass and if it takes me another 10 more…I WILL WAIT FOR HIS PERFECT AND APPOINTED TIME.
REMEMBER: Unlike, you and me, God is not limited and controlled by time. HE IS THE CREATOR OF TIME. And therefore, HIS TIME AND OURS will always be different. Be encouraged!
RAINBOW GULF OF LOVE 
I can wait for God. I am thankful that He chose you to bring that message! Bless you Gladwell! Lanie
this is excellent! exactly what i needed to hear and be reminded of today…thank you!
There just MUST be a purpose in the waiting. I become more and more convinced that God is not just interested in dishing out blessings, but more in refining us in the waiting and training us. That is His main objective. Many in Hebrews 11 didn’t actually receice the promise but they remained faithful to Him. May I have the grace….
I, too, am waiting for many promises. Some for over twenty-four years. What do I do? Get up each morning the same way I have for years, and seek the Lover of my soul. As time has progressed, He has become more important than the fruition of the promises.
Though I still put Him in remembrance of the promises, they are no longer the driving force behind my prayers. It’s now about Him.
And also, I enjoy your insight. I write articles in a series on my blog much like mysteries are written. Each part is written with 400-500 words and I only try to emphasize a single point.
Eventually, I try to bring it altogether.