He was far removed from what most would have considered his prime. ’Feeble’ and ’out to pasture’ would be more likely descriptions of the aged old man. But he still clutched the promise.
He was a much younger man when he first heard the promise, but he’d listened to it repeated several times since then. There were times when he thought it impossible to retain his hope, but here he was, now nearly a hundred still clinging to the words given so long ago.
She was broken… How did her life come to this? Once, her world was so colorful, but now everything was black with tints of gray. She had heard the promise… but she could barely find the strength to remember it. It was far from her reach.
The friendly stranger approached the old man and felt compelled to strike up a conversation. After cordial introductions, the younger acknowledged the significance of his senior’s name… ‘father of many nations.’ Impressed, he asked, “How many children do you and your wife have?”
She hadn’t been home in two days. Could she ever face her husband and child again? The clock beside the bed continued to tick and how she so wanted to believe she was alone. She knew better. When, or better if she rolled over, the man from the bar would be there.
“Oh, we have no children,” Abraham stated with a smile on his face. “Not yet…”
She wished that her key wouldn’t fit the door. What brought her home, she had no clue, because her only desire was to run… fast and far! The key turned the lock and the door opened.
Worn from the heavy labor, Sarah looked through aged and tear filled eyes, and proclaimed to her husband, “We have a son!”
She doubted. Unbelievably, her husband had chosen to love and forgive her. Her son was nestled in her arms. But God…? She knew the promise of His grace and mercy, but this was too bad. This went far beyond white lies and gossip parties by the water cooler. Can God forgive…?
Moses stared in awe! The masses were innumerable. When he spoke, his voice was heard by the people… but his words were meant for the Keeper of His promises. “The children of Abraham are many!”
Can and does God forgive even the worst and vile offenses against Him? Paul emphatically declares, “Yes! From the cross of Jesus Christ, mercy and grace flow freely.”
What about that spiteful voice that plagues our minds with the thought, “Now you’ve done it! He won’t forgive that one.” Paul says look to Abraham and Sarah. Even when it looked as though God’s promise was no longer a possibility, “Abraham believed God…”
To his readers in Rome, Paul wrote, “God didn’t just record this for Abraham’s benefit, but for our sake also, for all those who believe in Him who raised Jesus from the dead. He was delivered for our transgressions… He was raised for our justification.” Romans 4:23-25
When our mind says no way… the Holy Spirit confirms in our heart, “He promised!”
