Abraham: God’s Powerful Promise to a Patriarch

1/7/2020

Recently, I took the Word of the Year quiz over at DaySpring. My word for this year is Gather! I found that quite interesting since we already had this Gather series in the works. It was like a little confirmation from God to move forward with it. I love those little confirmations!

So, for the next seven weeks (the next seven Tuesdays) we are going to be looking at seven different characters from God's Word.

These characters are also featured in (Part Three: Days 21-27 Men of God Character Study) our Come and Gather: Family Time With God 27-day devotional. Or, what we lovingly refer to as Gather.

It's never too late to find your word of the year. Hop on over to DaySpring and take the Word of the Year quiz. It's simple! You're only 7 questions away from finding your Word of the Year!

Let's be intentionally this year about focusing on God’s Word and the truths that are found there. Let's let His Word inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have. Having a word of the year might just help you with that goal. When you find your word of the year, let us know in the comments below!

Is Anything Too Hard For the Lord?

"And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 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. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:1-14

Download your copy of Come and Gather: Family Time With God

Today, we're looking at Abraham and the power of God on his life, and we're asking the question, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

Our text is from Genesis 18:1-14 “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son” (vs 14).

When Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 90 God made a covenant (a promise) to Abraham to make of his seed a great nation (Genesis 17). Ishmael had been born to Abraham through Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid, but he was not the son of promise (Genesis 17:19-21). Ishmael was approximately 14 when Isaac was born, Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90.

God chose Abraham to be the father of His chosen people. In order for this to happen Abraham must have a son. God had not given children to Abraham and Sarah and now he was 99 and she was 90. It was at this most improbable time that God came to Abraham and established with him a covenant and promised to give him a son. As Abraham and Sarah thought about this promise, in their finite, human minds it seemed to them foolish. Sarah laughed at the thought. God however asked Abraham a piercing question; “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

Have You Wondered or Doubted?

Have you ever wondered if God was going to be able to answer your prayers? Have you ever doubted whether or not God could actually do a work in your life or on your behalf? God’s question to Abraham echoes down through the corridors of time and brings us to the realization that indeed, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). To be in a place of dependence upon God is not to be dreaded but to be welcomed. Ask God to do a work so marvelous and miraculous in your life that all who see it, as they saw Isaac born to Abraham and Sarah, must attribute the work to an all-powerful God.

Thanks for joining the InstaEncouragements weekly Christian link-up! We would really appreciate it if you would grab this IE link-up button, place it on your blog, and link back to this post. Thanks! Have an awesome week!

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What are you facing today that in your finite, human mind seems foolishly impossible? "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" And let us know what your Word of the Year is as well.

Come and Gather: Family Time With God published with permission
Pastor Jeremy Sweatt, Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut

28 Comments

Barbara Harper link

1/7/2020 09:37:28 am

We tend to look back at Bible narratives from the standpoint of knowing how it all worked out. What a good reminder to slow down and put ourselves in the places of the people there, to truly feel how impossible this situation was in human terms. If God could do this impossible thing for Abraham and Sarah, He can do anything.

Patsy Burnette link

1/7/2020 10:38:35 am

I totally agree, Barbara. In hindsight, it's easy to have faith. However, this situation truly was impossible without God's intervention. And, YES! With God ALL things are possible!

Laurie link

1/7/2020 09:50:54 am

Thank you for your take on this familiar story, Patsy. Indeed, nothing is too hard for God.

1/7/2020 10:39:17 am

Indeed, Laurie! :)

Debbie Wilson link

1/7/2020 10:07:14 am

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” I'm praying for a friend who the doctors have given up on that this will become a testimony of God's power for her to share. God is bigger than any illness or diagnosis. We hope for healing, but if it is heaven He is already accomplishing great things. Thanks for this word of faith.

1/7/2020 10:40:36 am

God is bigger, Debbie! I will be praying for your friend today as well.

Jerralea link

1/7/2020 04:58:22 pm

I love the story of Abraham and Sarah. It proves no matter how old you are, God can birth something new in you!

1/8/2020 07:55:50 am

I like that, Jerralea—"no matter how old you are, God can birth something new in you!" What a beautiful thought for the New Year!!!

Lisa notes link

1/7/2020 06:24:23 pm

How cool that God gave you such confirmation on "gather." I love when he does things like that. My word is Linger. I haven't written about it yet, but it's coming. I'm thinking I'll find some correlations here in the new few weeks between gather and linger.

1/8/2020 07:57:36 am

I love His little confirmations too, Lisa! I love your word "Linger." I'll be looking for that post.

Calvonia Radford link

1/8/2020 09:21:29 am

My word for this year is Accomplish. There are some things God has assigned me to do that need to be accomplished. I'm praying that he establishes the work of my hands. I love the story of Sarah's doubt, it makes me realize that we as humans are visually challenged. We cannot see what God can see. Truly, nothing is impossible with Him. Oh if we could see it!

1/8/2020 10:17:14 am

I think "accomplish" needs to be my word for 2020 as well! The only thing I've gathered so far is the junk food which has made its way to the trash! LOL

We are visually challenged <—good point! TRUST!

Beth link

1/8/2020 10:30:11 am

I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately, Patsy. Because it's so easy to think that I should have faith that something "I" want will happen, when it's about what "God's promises," not necessarily what I want. I'm sure in some ways Abraham and Sarah didn't want to wait as long as they did for a son of their own. But that's what God wanted them to do to strengthen their faith. I need to separate out what I want from what God wants--trusting Him instead. Then I can have the faith to defeat every doubt! Thanks for reminding me of this important focus, my friend!

1/8/2020 06:57:23 pm

It's so easy, Beth, for us to think we need to "help God out." But God really doesn't need us to accomplish His purposes. He'd love to use us, but doesn't need us. And you're right, God wanted Abraham & Sarah to wait until it was humanly impossible to have offspring. But we know, with God, nothing is impossible. It's a beautiful story and a great reminder that God WILL keep His promises, even when it seems impossible to us.

Diane@faithfulceos link

1/8/2020 01:05:47 pm

I love posts about Abraham. One of my favorite times of year on the Hebrew calendar coincides with January when we get to read Lech Lecha and how Abraham obeyed and discerned the voice of God. I wrote about it on my other blog. I have just always been fascinated with Abraham and Sarah. Thank you for sharing this with us!

1/8/2020 07:00:13 pm

Thank you, Diane. It is a fascinating story!

Becky Beresford link

1/8/2020 01:19:39 pm

Loved this and I love what you are doing for the next few weeks! Sometimes I have a hard timing believing God for His promises, so I can relate to Abraham. So good! :)

1/8/2020 07:01:29 pm

Yes, Becky, their story is a great reminder for us to believe God and His promises.

Lauren Sparks link

1/8/2020 02:36:36 pm

I did not know about this quiz. I am taking it now.

1/8/2020 07:03:36 pm

Yea! I want to know what your word is, Lauren! :)

Susan Shipe link

1/8/2020 03:06:13 pm

I have done both, wondered and doubted!!!

1/8/2020 07:04:14 pm

:) Me too, Susan. A lot!

Ammie link

1/9/2020 07:32:08 am

I think doubt as humans is natural, however, I feel the closer we walk with Jesus the less doubt we experience. Although for me, I often trust God for things for others easier than I trust Him for things for me. I think that has to do with my own self though in terms of my view of me.

1/9/2020 07:49:26 am

I believe you're right, Ammie. The closer our walk with Him, the more we see Him, the less we doubt and our trust grows! I find it fascinating that we can trust Him with our eternal security, yet doubt Him when it comes to the little day-to-day life provisions.

Traci link

1/9/2020 08:23:06 am

We just read this in our Bible reading group. Abraham's faith is a good reminder for me, I'm not there yet. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this covenant promise with God.

1/9/2020 11:32:31 am

His life of faith is an inspiration, but he wasn't perfect, right? He failed just like we do sometimes. We must remember that as well and not beat ourselves up when we fail. Just get up, dust yourself off, ask forgiveness, and trust the God of second chances.

Ellen link

1/9/2020 11:16:18 am

Rest was my word for the year. Abraham too must have had to learn to rest on the promises of God. I cannot even imagine leaving my people and going somewhere that wasn't even mapped out. Then to have a son given in his old age! I've reminded myself many times that nothing is too hard for the Lord.

1/9/2020 11:34:25 am

Ellen, rest is a good word for the year—we probably all need rest. Resting on the promises of God is a great use of that word! We for sure all need that!

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