BELIEVING GOD'S PROMISES

Sarah Laughed

Most of us are familiar with the story of Sarah and Abraham. When Sarah was told that she was to have a child in her old age, she laughed. When she was called on the fact that she laughed, she lied and said that she did not laugh. Sarah had received the prophecy based on her natural circumstances and not based on God’s supernatural power (Genesis 18:10-14).

When we view God’s prophetic words, as revealed in the bible, based on our present circumstances, we may have a hard time believing them. Yet, we know that there is nothing too difficult for God to do. If he could create the universe in 6 days, certainly He is able to address any need we have, as He promised. It is not necessary to earn God’s promises by our own goodness, we must only be a child of His through acceptance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins. Once we admit that we are sinners and have received forgiveness of all our sins we stand fully qualified to receive God’s best.

Sometimes, as in the case of Sarah, God’s promises do not materialize immediately. In those instances, we must stay in faith believing. God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). God’s timing is always right. There may be certain things that must occur before the promise is fulfilled. There may be certain things that have to be put in place first. We must learn to trust in God’s timing. He has not forgotten His promises. Don’t try to figure out exactly how He will bring things about. He will reveal to you whatever you must do if you are to play a part. When He tells you to do something …do it. God will often only reveal the next immediate step. Not the entire staircase. He wants us to learn to live by faith. If we know everything, there is no need to exercise faith. Faith is the evidence of things not seen.  

If God has made personal promises to you, if you are standing on the promises in the bible, don’t grow weary in waiting. Continue to believe, continue to exercise your faith. In due time, in God’s time, the promises will be made manifest. Start thanking God for the fulfillment of the promises, even while you are waiting. Wait with expectancy…confident that the promises will be fulfilled.