"For with God nothing will be impossible" - Luke 1:37 (NIV).
Even as far back as the time of Abraham it was clear to all that women have a certain child bearing age age bracket, before menopause kicks in. Married to a nomadic herdsmen this couple of Abraham and Sarah had waited and pleaded for a child but in apparent vain.
Then late one day a message came from an angel of the Lord. "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?” (Gen 18:10-12).
Don't be hard on Sarah, folks! Haven't we all faced those apparently impossible and grim situations where everyone had given up on us. Remember that time when it all looked game up. But then with the Lord nothing is impossible! Sarah's laughter of doubt would end up in a long laughter of joy. "Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and 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. (Gen 21:1-2).
Here is the revealation. The one who had started out with a laughter of derision had now some chewing. Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age" (vv 7-8).
Today you may be faced with such a situation of a formidable nature that whenever you think of it there is a certain laughter of doubt that teases you. But never mind. One day, not very long, the Lord will burst your heart with a laud laughter none can behold nor ever imagine.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven, whatever seemingly impossible situations I am faced with I know with you all things are possible and you will bring a laughter of victory, as you did for Sarah in old age, this I pray in Jesus's name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
