Mountain Movers

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-and Sarah herself was barren-was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. (Hebrews 11:11-12)

Here is the stage of life when it wasn't logical for Abraham and Sarah to have children. However, faith means believing that even the impossible can happen. And it did. The main reason that Abraham and Sarah were able to have Isaac is because Abraham considered God faithful. He claimed God's promises. And that pleased God so that He enabled Abraham to have children. Let's look at more detail in Abraham and Sarah's story in Genesis.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."(Genesis 17:1-2) God had made this promise to Abraham before. This time He was confirming it. Abraham had already persevered 24 years from the time of his earlier covenant. All throughout that time, God was continually encouraging Abraham to keep the faith and hope. He already had a son through Hagar, his maidservant. However, the promise that God was referring to would come through Sarah.

There were certainly instances of Abraham having to work through his doubts. In verse 17ff, it says: Abraham fell face-down; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?"

And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" Abraham was being real with God. It was challenging to hold on to the belief in the promise God gave him. He tried to see if a compromise was available with Ishmael being the promised one. Indeed, Ishmael would be blessed, but God had yet a greater blessing reserved for Abraham. Before receiving the gift from God, Abraham must further demonstrate his faith and obedience by undergoing circumcision-- another sign of the covenant between Abraham and God. Not only must he himself be circumcised but God required that of all the males of Abraham's household, from his son Ishmael to the lowliest male servant. And that is what transpired.

Three visitors appeared to in Chapter 18 to Abraham and Sarah and again told them the promise that God gave. Sarah's response was to laugh and to question the credibility of such a promise. The Lord replied, "Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." While God asked them, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" they knew the answer. Intellectually, we also know that nothing is too hard for God to do. However, in my heart I confess that it is difficult to be convinced of that at times. When I worry and doubt, I am basically telling God that my problems are too big for Him to solve. When I give into discouragement, I doubt that God give us the courage I yearn for. Of course, it sounds ridiculous to believe that the God who created the universe in six days can't help us with our problems, including some pretty minor dilemmas. Just how many times in any given week do we doubt, worry or get discouraged? Each one of these acts of surrendering to negativity robs us of faith.

Certainly, Sarah was doubted. However, in Genesis 21, we see God's gracious response to her lack of faith: "the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him." (Genesis 21:1-3) God steadfastly kept his promise because of the faith of Abraham.

It is interesting to note that Abraham gave his son the name Isaac, which means "She laughs." In verse 6, Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter" referring to her breaking down with unbelieving laughter at the very thought of bearing a child in her advanced age. This time, Sarah laughed in joy as she saw faith being realized. They had every reason to be ecstatic because, as it states in Hebrews 11:12, they would be blessed with innumerable descendants through Isaac.

One of the blessed fruits of the faithful is that they have joy in their lives. This is because God has given them such incredible victories, far beyond what the world could ever provide. As well, joy helps us to remain faithful in God.

In Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight in prison. It is evident that they had faith and joy working hand in hand in their lives.

In Hebrews 12:2, Jesus endured the cross "for the joy set before him." This doesn't, of course, necessarily mean that he had a glad countenance as he was walking towards the cross-- indeed, He said in Matthew 26:38 that his soul was "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." However, joy isn't dictated by emotions. Otherwise, how could we "be joyful always" as the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16? Jesus' joy came when he realized the promises God gave. God promised that he would save people from their sins and celebrate with them in heaven.

God's promises brought joy to the hearts of Abraham and Sarah. All the years of perseverance that they endured waiting for the promises of God had been well worth it. Moreover, everyone who heard or visited them could only marvel at the wonder of God. Yet, as incredibly faith-building as this event was, God had an amazing test of faith in store for Abraham. Even at the age of a hundred, Abraham could still look for more God-planned adventures! Let us go to the next chapter to read how God continued to bless faith-filled Father Abraham.