Genesis 18:11-12 Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old. Sarah was far past the age for having babies. Sarah laughed within herself, “An old woman like me? Get pregnant? With this old man of a husband?”

Three men arrived at Abraham and Sarah’s place. Abraham, as usual, was overflowing with hospitality and brought out the best. In today’s terms, we could say he served a juicy steak and delicious braaibroodjies.

Then the men announced that, if they would pass by again the following year, there would be a new arrival for Abraham and Sarah. Abraham quickly did the math. He remembered God’s promise that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars, and a son was needed for that.

He recognised that God had come to reaffirm the covenant promise, but Sarah could not look past their weathered bodies. The things of a young married couple had long been a thing of the past, let alone giving birth to a child. It was physically impossible.

She couldn’t stop herself, and on the other side of the tent curtain, laughed out loud. When the Lord asked why she was laughing, she denied it.

One can’t blame Sarah, because the facts of life tell a story. When you’re too old, you’re too old. Then, children are no longer an option. Physically, it was impossible, and she was just being realistic.

Yet, we know that God is never constrained by ‘normal’ human circumstances. Where His will is set, the way opens wide. For God, nothing is impossible. And Abraham knew this. Abraham believed this. This was why he looked to the year ahead with such expectancy, confident in what was to come for him and Sarah.

Sometimes I think our perspective of God becomes too narrow. When we try to fit Him into our human logic, we end up losing sight of His true greatness and the miracles He is capable of. God is still at work in our lives today and makes things happen that may no longer seem possible, humanly speaking. Faith looks past the ‘possible’ to the One who promised. It knows that God’s power begins where our hope has died. In your life as well.

Prayer
Father, my faith also sometimes wavers, but I want to believe like Abraham, even if circumstances speak the opposite. Help me through Your Spirit to keep on believing, even for miracles in my own life …

Questions
Where do you focus on facts, rather than on God?
What makes you laugh in disbelief at God’s promises?
How can you enlarge the way you see God today?

Now go and do this
Think of something in your own life that you have long ago written off as impossible, and say to God today, “I believe You can still work here.”
Start praying again about that one thing you may have given up on, and trust that God can still surprise.
Remind yourself daily that faith does not look at what seems possible, but at Who made the promise.