How can we trust God's timing in our lives, like Sarah did? Genesis 21:7 – Sarah’s Wonder at God’s Timing “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” What Sarah’s Story Teaches about Waiting • A 25-year gap lay between promise (Genesis 12:2) and fulfillment (Genesis 21:7). • Sarah’s laughter turned from doubt (Genesis 18:12) to delight (Genesis 21:6). • Hebrews 11:11 notes that “by faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive,” highlighting God’s role, not human ability. • God’s question in Genesis 18:14 echoes to every waiting heart: “Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” Why God’s Timing Can Be Trusted • His Character – Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man, that He should lie.” – Malachi 3:6: “For I, the LORD, do not change.” • His Sovereignty – Isaiah 46:10: “My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.” • His Love – Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son… how will He not also… graciously give us all things?” • His Perspective – 2 Peter 3:8: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years.” • His Perfect Plan – Galatians 4:4: “When the fullness of time came, God sent His Son.” If He timed redemption flawlessly, He can time our smaller stories. Common Temptations While We Wait • Forcing shortcuts (Genesis 16:1–4) • Interpreting delay as denial (Psalm 13:1–2) • Comparing timelines with others (John 21:22) • Forgetting past faithfulness (Exodus 16:2–3) Practices That Strengthen Trust • Stay in Scripture – Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet.” • Pray Honestly – Psalm 62:8: “Pour out your hearts before Him.” • Remember Testimonies – 1 Samuel 7:12: “Till now the LORD has helped us.” • Cultivate Gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” • Keep Serving – Galatians 6:9: “Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest.” Mirrors of Sarah’s Experience • Joseph waited in prison before ruling (Genesis 40–41). • Moses spent forty years in Midian before leading Israel (Exodus 3). • David endured years of hiding before the throne (1 Samuel 16–2 Samuel 5). • Jesus lived thirty quiet years before public ministry (Luke 3:23). Encouragement for Today • God’s promises outlast our deadlines. • Delays develop faith muscles we can gain no other way (James 1:4). • The laughter of fulfillment is sweeter after the silence of waiting (Psalm 126:1–3). • One day, like Sarah, we will look back amazed: “Who would have told…? Yet God did it.” |
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