Origins: The Promise (Genesis 12–25)Sample

By Danny Saavedra

“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised.” Genesis 21:1 (NIV)

There are very few things in this world that you can truly rely on, that are totally and entirely reliable. Technology breaks down, health fades, relationships fall apart, financial institutions collapse, governments fail, people—even the people closest to us, the ones we rely on most—disappoint us. There truly isn’t anything or anyone we can completely depend on and put our trust in . . . except the Lord!

In today’s verse, we see the Lord keep His promise to Sarah as she conceives a child! It all began when God came to Abraham and said, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you” (Genesis 12:2 NIV). And then later on the Lord comes to Abraham and says, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” (Genesis 18:10 NLT). Overhearing this, Sarah laughed quietly to herself and wondered how they, each almost 100 years old, would be able to have a child. But even through all this, even in her doubt and her scoffing, the Lord was still faithful and His promise was still secure, firm, and dependable.

This verse shows us that no matter what we perceive, no matter what the circumstances, no matter what human logic and the world around us may say, God’s promises are secure and firm. It may not always come how we want it or when we want it; it may not come the way we expect, but if He made the promise He will deliver. He was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and He did for Sarah what He had promised. 

Is there something, a promise, a word of deliverance, a declaration that has been made over you and your life? Thank the Lord for it and stand secure in it. Don’t lose heart if it hasn’t happened yet. The promise was first made to Abraham 25 years before Isaac was actually born. 

If He said it to you, whether through His Word, through revelation in prayer, or through someone else to you . . . you can believe it. If He said it, He will do for you what He has promised! 

DIG: Read 2 Corinthians 1:20. 

DISCOVER: What promises have you seen the Lord fulfill in your life or the lives of others?

DO: Spend time today reflecting on the personal promises the Lord has made to you and the overarching promises He has made to all His children. Praise Him and worship Him for all His promises!