Part 1 - Genesis 21:1-7 - Laughing At God! Series

Part 1 - Genesis 21:1-7 - LAUGHING AT GOD!

As he was born my heart was bursting with JOY. I held my son Ben up to the Lord and dedicated him then and there. I was so grateful for the gift of a child. I remember driving home at the beginning of that day laughing and honking the horn so everyone could SHARE THE JOY I had, though on reflection they may not have appreciated it fully.

Abraham and Sarah would always remember how they laughed at the promise of a son in their old age. It seems Isaac was laughed at in one way or another all his life. Isaac means "laughter". What an appropriate name. A river of LAUGHTER runs through the entire story of the birth of Isaac.

Abraham laughed in BEWILDERED AMAZEMENT in Genesis 17:17 and Sarah mirrored his response in DISBELIEVING DOUBT in Genesis 18:12 until she too was able to believe. 25 years later they laughed in DELIGHT AND FAITH and in the SHEER JOY of finally realizing the promise of having a son in Genesis 21:6. Sarah indicates that people will laugh and celebrate in WONDER AND AMAZEMENT at what God had done in their old age. God has a sense of humour.

25 YEARS! Lord, You take a while to come through with your promises. Genesis 21:1-2 almost downplays the momentous event of Isaac's birth by simply saying, "The Lord kept His word and did for Sarah exactly what He had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would." But of course what You say You always do, in Your time not mine.

Why do You delay Your promises? 25 years seems an awful long time. I guess it's what everyone says - You want my faith to grow, for me to learn what perseverance and trust and earnest prayer is all about. You teach me to have a CONFIDENT HOPE, instead of an INDECISIVE WISH.

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) says "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the HOPE we affirm, for God can be TRUSTED to keep his promise."

Hebrews 10:36 (NLT) says "PATIENT ENDURANCE is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. THEN you will receive all that He has promised."

Romans 4:20-21 (NLT) says "Abraham NEVER WAVERED in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises."

Genesis 21:5 (NLT) says "Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born" Sarah said "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!" She should talk! She's no spring chicken either. Sarah is 90.

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) says "Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

INFINITELY MORE! In fact JESUS would be one of the DESCENDENTS of Isaac. Sarah doesn't know it but Isaac's birth points towards the BIRTH OF THE SAVIOUR, through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed (Genesis 12:3) as promised to Abraham.

JESUS AND ISAAC. Both births were PROMISED an outrageously long time before fulfillment. Both births were MIRACULOUS - both HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE, and both birth's brought INDESCRIBABLE JOY.

MARY'S JOY MIRRORS SARAH'S JOY. In Luke 1:46-47 (NLT) it speaks about Mary's response to the promise of Jesus' birth. "Mary responded, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!.."

God bless you Church as you LAUGH AT WHAT GOD IS DOING, when you know the incredible Joy that the Holy Spirit brings as our lives collide with the promises of God and connect with Jesus, our Saviour and Lord.

Pastor Ross