QT 9/8/2025 Gen 18:9-15, Learning to trust God

Genesis 18:9–15 (ESV) —

9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 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. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 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.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

 

NOTE: Sarah, like Abraham earlier, laughs at the suggestion that she might have a son. And like Abraham, it was incredulity. We know that Abraham even suggested a plan B (Ishmael) because he did not believe God. I think both of them come around to the idea of God doing the impossible, but at the moment they first hear the news of the very late in age birth, they are not so sure.

 

I don't think we can be too critical toward either of them. How often do we struggle in worry or concern when God has told us:

 

1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) — 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV) — 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

I know I am guilty of falling into a pattern of worrying or arguing in my head about how to fix something. How seldom do I just pray, "God, I give this into your hands. I will do the prudent thing, but I have to trust you to work out the details. I will stop replaying in mind future actions (worrying)." Well actually, this has been my prayer lately. I have had to trust God to fix things that I have little control.

 

Yes, we all fail at times in our faith. Go to God and give him your worries. Acknowledge his control.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I believe God is watching over me, or do I believe in a watchmaker God who doesn't interfere in the affairs of man? Our God cares.
2. Do I worry? Do I go to sleep worrying about how I am going to handle an issue at work or home? Give it to God every time you start to fall into that trap.

 

PRAYER: Father, I believe in you, but I let worry control me. Later I am learning that every time I start to worry or think about what I need to do, I just give it back to you quoting 1 Pet 5:7. I am seeing you do the things that I cannot do. Thank you.