Devotion

We exist in a world where instant gratification is a rhythm of life. Much of our society is structured around getting us what we want as quickly as possible. However, all this makes it even more painful when we’re asked to wait. Waiting for promises to be fulfilled can often feel aimless or scary.

In Genesis 12 and 15, God promised Abraham and Sarah descendants. They had assurance that they would one day have children but were asked to wait years and years before that promise would be fulfilled. As Abraham and Sarah continued to age, it grew harder to believe having a child would be possible. Years passed and they began to doubt God’s promise. At one point, Abraham and Sarah even tried to take matters into their own hands rather than wait for God to fulfill his promise. But even as Abraham and Sarah strayed, God remained faithful.

Eventually, Abraham and Sarah learned to trust that God would do what only he could do—something miraculous. Finally, after over 20 years, “The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised.” God gave them a son, Isaac. And don’t miss this. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born, and Sarah was over 90. Sarah responded in the only way she could think of, “God has brought me laughter.” They understood that a miracle was something that only God could accomplish. Allowing Abraham and Sarah to have a baby in their old age was impossible. The news was going baffle and surprise everyone!

Through the birth of Isaac, we see foreshadowing of another promised Son. Thousands of years later, God would promise a Son to another woman who wouldn’t understand how it’d be possible. This Son would also turn tears into laughter. He would take away the sins of all who believe in him and make a way for them be with God. One day, in the future, he will come back and take away tears and pain and sickness forever. This promised Son is Jesus, and it’s him we celebrate this season.