Genesis 21:1-7

Sarah Gives Birth to Isaac

Doubt Worry and Fear

 

21:1 Then the LORD took note of Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had promised.

 

2 So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

 

3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.

 

4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.

 

5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

 

6 Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me."

 

7 And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way we think, and the way we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

Impossible for Us - Simple for God

I cringe at the thought; one hundred years old and father (or mother) to a new baby. Impossible? Yes, if we relate the story to the medical improbabilities of the incident. No, if we look at it from the perspective of God.

The fact is, what seems an impossible task to us is something God takes in stride. He does not work in human terms so, He blinks an eye, and a couple residing in what should be the end of their days has a newborn and, Abraham lives to see Isaac as a grown man!

Can You Handle It God?

I am many times guilty of asking God for things that seem too big to handle and then doubt God's ability to take care of it for me. So, I get impatient and try to take care of the problem myself. Big mistake! Our human side, no matter how far we feel we have advanced in intelligence, takes over for what we should turn over to God.

The Henry Ford Story

There is a story I've heard about Henry Ford that I'm sure has some truth in it but might have been embellished a bit. It goes like this...

Intelligent ignorance - This means that, without proper knowledge we don't understand that something cannot work. An example is that a bumble bee does not know that it is not supposed to fly, so it does anyhow. This is the same situation the Ford engineers faced when Henry asked for the V-8 engine for his cars. He told the engineers to build the motor. They told him it couldn't be done.

He said; "You don't understand, I want a V-8 engine." They went back to the drawing board and after several attempts, came back again stating to Henry that it couldn't be done. After going back and forth several times with the same outcome, Henry finally said again with intensity and determination; "I want a V-8 engine and I want it now. Go and build it.".

We Ask God, Then Doubt

When we ask God for a miracle or even help with an everyday task that seems too big for us, we need to have that intelligent ignorance to give us faith that it is not impossible for God.

If Sarah would have believed in what God could do from the beginning, she would have had less doubt, worry and fear. Either way, Isaac was born but peace of mind that God was in charge would have made the journey easier.

Faith

Simple lesson? Let's talk to God about the "big" issues and tasks in our lives and then have faith that He can take care of it. If we do, we will spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the benefits of being one of His children.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Genesis 17:1-8 - How Abram became Abraham