One morning. Two women. And pregnancies.
They can be so complex and varied, each the start of a new story, a dream.
God comes to Abraham, making a covenant, promising Abraham he will be the father of many nations. A multitude of nations, in fact. Abraham’s response?
“The Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” (Genesis 17:17, NLT)
How indeed? The very idea is improbable, no, actually impossible in the natural.
As if Abraham and Sarah did not have enough issues with believing the promise:
“Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (Genesis 18:13-14, NLT)
Add the passing of more time, another year older, till the arrival of their son.
In saying, “I will return”, the Hebrew verb means “to intervene in someone’s life to change their destiny” (commentary from The New Living Bible). God was announcing to them both that He was soon going to change the course of their lives. They would never be the same.
Sarah’s inability to have children was all a part of the greater plan of God to birth not only a son, but a nation. A people. His chosen people.
Now to another woman and another pregnancy.
Zechariah, a righteous and priestly man. Yet he and his wife, Elizabeth, have no children, are barren, and also are very old. God comes to him to say:
“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. You wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.” (Luke 1:12-13, NLT)
Zechariah also questions, who wouldn’t when you are well past the age of child-bearing?
Elizabeth’s inability to have children was all a part of the greater plan of God. Their son was to pave the way for the earthly ministry of Jesus.
God’s “No’s” in our lives are often for a better good to come,
as we wait on His time.
When God returns to His promises, His Word, and fulfills them in our lives our very destiny is changed. It is often the turning point in our story, the start, or redirection, of our God-given dream.
And so I pray today: Lord, help us not to doubt You or Your Word. You are faithful to do that which You say You will do. There is nothing that is impossible for You. May we not doubt You, or the delays, as You are always working everything out for our good and according to Your plan. Amen.
Today I am joining … #DreamTogether and Soul Survival .
Hi Joanne, how are you?
We have been studying the Book of Luke for a week now on GoodMorning Girls and I can say that sometimes even God’s people question the Word. I considered Mary’s simple heart. Her purity, innocence, fearless believe that God’s Word would stand sure in her life.
But Zachariah was a priest, one would expect more faith and loads of courage…but you see wisdom of God is awesome. To the simple and tender He reveals His Wisdom. I appreciate Psalm 8…where it says He has ordained praise in the mouths of Babes!
He is awesome and He still helps us when we struggle with unbelief. All we need do is to cry out…
That’s a kind of Faith that draws down the extraordinary into our lives.
I’m so glad I visited you, sister.
God Bless you and your family
Ifeoma, I am so grateful that even when we question God and His Word, He is faithful to His promises. He brings understanding when we call out to Him. May God bless you as you continue to study the book of Luke!
I love the way that you paired these two stories of pregnancy and waiting and questioning together here! They do have so many similarities, but the greatest of all is the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises to them. I’ve often wondered if God used that time of silence in Zechariah’s life to grow wonder & awe in his heart? A lot to ponder here, and so much to be thankful for! What a merciful God we serve!
Bettie, I would have to agree with you that God used the time of silence in Zechariah’s life to grow wonder and awe in his heart. Once able to speak, Zechariah was filled with praise and prophesied. I so appreciate you adding those thoughts! Blessings!
Sometimes it is the waiting which cast doubts in our minds if God is really listening to our prayers or … if He actually does exist. The devil uses these moments of weakness to plant the seed of doubt in our minds.
God bless.
It is true, Victor. And we can send the enemy fleeing in responding, “Even in the wait, God is good!” May any doubts be dispelled. Blessings!