Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Then the LORD asked Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, “Can I really have a child when I am so old?” Is anything too hard for the LORD? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son.’
Because Sarah was afraid, she denied it. ‘I didn’t laugh’, she said. ‘Yes you did’, he replied. ‘You laughed.’ (verses 13-15)

Read Genesis 18:1-16

What a challenge to our faith. ‘Is anything too hard for the LORD?’ The answer is definitely no – but do we really believe it? Do we believe God can do miracles, but then shy away from the fact that he might choose to do them through us? Do we believe that God heals, and sometimes cures, people, but then fail to pray for healing? Do we hear Jesus promise that, if we believe, we have eternal life, but then still answer doubtfully if someone asks if we are sure we are saved? Do we hear St Paul tell the people at Corinth, and us, that if a person is a Christian then he or she has been specially gifted to help build up the church – and there are no exceptions – but then believe it can’t apply to me? Do we hear St Paul tell us that if we are in Christ we are a new creation, but then still see ourselves as poor miserable sinners?

If our answer to any of these questions is yes, then we are being like Sarah. We may not laugh, but we are not believing that the answer to God’s question is yes – at least where I am concerned.

It’s true. Believe it, and live it.

Father, help me to see myself as you see me in Jesus, and to believe that there is nothing you can’t do, even with me. Amen.

by Bob Turnbull, in ‘God’s Promises for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1999)

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