Don't Give Up

 

     Don’t give up on God. Sarah and Abraham had given up on God’s promise to give them a child. They were growing older. Sarah finally asks Abraham to lay with her maidservant. Not a great plan. This pregnancy led to jealousy and ultimately to warfare between the descendants of Ishmael and Israel even to this day.

     God fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah, as He always does. It came just a bit late in life.

Abraham fell facedown. He laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at 90? Genesis 17:17

     Yes, God delivered on His promise and gave them a son, Isaac, is born.

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:6

     Such surprising joy! The promises and miracles of God often come at unexpected times.  And the joy of Christ is with us always. The joy of our salvation (Psalm 51) remains deeply in us into eternity. The joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8)

     Jesus saw joy set before Him on His way to the cross. The joy set before Him included you and me. Imagine that! Fix your eyes on Him and feel His joy.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

     Scorned its shame. You can hear the mighty laughter of God. He defeated death for us on that cross.  Find deep joy today.

Father,

We thank You for Jesus, for teaching us how to live by faith with deep understanding and joy. Keep us steadfast. Give us laughter and lessons and hope.

In Jesus name,

Amen