Bible in a Year, Day 10: Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?

Today's reading

Today's reading is Genesis 18, where three visitors come to Abraham with a promise for Sarah.

The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes around, and Sarah will have a son.”

(Genesis 18:13-14, WEB)

Reflection

Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 90. They had waited 25 years for this promise, years of hoping, doubting, scheming, praying and waiting. Then God appeared with an announcement: by this time next year, Sarah will have a son.

Sarah was listening from just behind the tent flap, and she laughed. Pastor Jack Graham describes it as a laugh of skepticism and doubt, and she did not seem to care who heard it. Her body was old, Abraham was old, and the promise looked absurd.

God heard her, and he did not walk away. He asked a question instead. As Pastor Jack Graham said of it, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" He loves that sentence, and it echoes through all of Scripture.

The answer is no. In Pastor Graham's words, "There's nothing too hard for God." There is no person he cannot save, no situation he cannot solve, no promise he cannot keep. "He specializes in the impossible."

A year later Sarah gave birth to Isaac, whose name means laughter. This time it was a shout of joy. Her doubt had turned to wonder.

Graham also points to the gospel in this story. Centuries later another son was born in an impossible way, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. "Where Sarah laughed in doubt, Mary believed in faith," he said, and through that son the world could be saved.

Take it with you

• What promise of God have you been waiting on so long that it now seems absurd?
• Where have you quietly laughed in doubt, and can you bring that to God honestly, knowing he hears it?
• Say the question out loud today: is anything too hard for the Lord?

Prayer

Lord, you know the promises we have waited on for a long time. When we doubt, or laugh at how impossible things look, turn toward us with patience as you did with Sarah. Remind us that nothing is too hard for you. Help us keep trusting while we wait, and fill our hearts with joy when you keep your word. Thank you for Jesus, the fulfillment of every promise you made. Amen.