When God Says No (we think)

We're all pretty familiar with the story of Abram and Sarai, how God promised Abram "your very own son shall be your heir." (Genesis 15:4). Years passed and no child. Sarai finally said "The Lord has prevented me from bearing children." She told Abram to marry her servant and when she got pregnant she was jealous. The son Hagar had has hassled the children Sarai eventually had to this day.

So it's interesting to me that Sarai lacked two things: trust and patience. It seems she didn't fully trust that what God said He would do, He would do. She lacked patience because as time passed she concluded that God was purposefully not fulfilling His promise - that He had taken back what He earlier said.


In reality, God was waiting. A few years later He made sure Sarai was nearby when He proclaimed that in a year there would be a baby crying in their tent. Sure enough, that's exactly what happened.

God has made many promises to us, but we must trust that even when it doesn't happen in the way or the timing that we choose, it doesn't mean God doesn't care or has taken back His promise. Often times, like in Sarai's case, further revelation is needed. For you, perhaps God has things He is doing in your life or in the lives of others before it is time to fulfill a promise. Often times the fulfillment comes in a way we never would have guessed, but it is for our ultimate good.

It pays to trust and wait for God. The alternate isn't much fun at all. Just ask Sarai.

Pastor Tom