In chapter 18, the Lord appeared to Abraham. This time He was not alone; verses 1-2 “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre; while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” Abraham showed hospitality to the men by asking them to stay, eat, wash their feet, and rest (vs. 3-5). While they were standing there, the Lord inquired about Sarah. Verses 10-12 state, “Then one of them said, I will surely return to you about this time next year and Sarah, your wife, will have a son. Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So, Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, after I am worn out, and my Lord is old, will I now have this pleasure.” How often have we found it difficult to trust in God, especially when time seems to be running out by our estimation? I have been there many times, too many to count. There were times when depression and even suicidal thoughts plagued and bombarded my mind.
Yet, our Heavenly Father was always there to rescue and vindicate me. Verse 14 states, “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” The question is, why do we even have these thoughts as Christians? Because we still battle with our sinful nature. How then do we win the war for our thoughts? Psalm 1:1-3 puts it this way “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his Law Day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers.” One of the key elements is to meditate on his Law Day and night; To ensure that streams of living water plant our thoughts; so that our lives will yield the fruit of our Father in all seasons. Remember Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” The bottom line is, God is trustworthy regardless of the circumstances. We can rest assured that He will keep His promise to us.
Here is a news flash we also have a role to play, stay in His word day and night. And no, you do not have to be a bible scholar, a good bible-based church is an essential tool, the most critical tool is found in John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” When I feel the walls closing in, I run to the Psalms for strength. We find another reason to trust God as we read on in verse 17, “Then the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” God wants us to know, His will for our lives. He does not keep secrets from His people. Verses 20-21 “Then the Lord said, the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, their sin so grievous that I will go down and see. If what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me, if not, I will know.” Don’t miss this; God always comes to His people. He is not a hands-off kind of God, regardless of our situation. He comes and offers us a way out. God offers himself as a sacrifice. I do not know what issues you are dealing with as you read this blog; remember the beginning words in verse 14 “Is anything too hard for the Lord?
Remember, God loves you, and so do I.