“Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, ‘Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?’” (Genesis 17:17, NIV)

For about the 20th time (who really knows) God told Abram that he was going to have a son. The problem was that Abram was now 100 years old and Sarai was 90. Now God also decided to change their names. He changed Abram’s to Abraham (“father of many”) and Sarai’s to Sarah (“mother of many”). Even though he was talking to God, Abraham couldn’t hold it back, and he fell on his face and laughed. Good thing God loves us humans and has a sense of humor. He didn’t get angry with Abraham. He accepted his very human response and went with it. He assured Abraham that he would have a son and said that when that son was born Abraham needed to name him Isaac, “he laughs.”

I love this section of Scripture because it reminds me that God created us, loves us, and accepts us as flawed beings. He is patient with us and is willing to deal with our spiritual brokenness. The way that God deals with Abraham gives me a lot of assurance that I am OK in His book. Studying this section of Scripture gives us a glimpse into the very heart of God. He is patient and long-suffering. He can be that way because He knows the rest of the plan. He actually sent His very own Son into this broken world to redeem and save it. He makes things right again.

Know for certain that it is OK to be yourself with God. He wouldn’t want it any other way.

God is good and He is gracious!

Peace!

Pastor Tom

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