The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

GOD IS FAITHFUL

Isaac’s birth previews the coming of Jesus. Isaac was born because God is faithful and promised Abraham a son, just as he promised sinners a Savior. The birth of Isaac came as a demonstration of God’s grace, just as it was demonstrated at the coming of Christ. Abraham and Sarah were quite elderly when Isaac was born — so far beyond the years of child bearing that Sarah laughed at God’s plan (Ge 18:9 – 12) — yet God often does the humanly impossible to fulfill his purposes. Jesus, after all, was born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:18). Though Abraham and Sarah devised what they thought to be a more practical plan to fulfill God’s promise by using Hagar as a surrogate (Ge 16:1 – 4), it was ultimately God’s faithfulness — not human effort — which brought forth Isaac. In a similar way, Jesus came to earth because God is faithful and fulfills all of his promises. After Isaac was born, Sarah laughed once again, but this time it was not out of unbelief and mockery but out of astonishment and joy (Ge 21:5 – 6). Today, believers should also be filled with joy and astonishment at the faithfulness of God to keep his promises.

Jesus, forgive me for laughing at God’s plans. Help me to not take matters into my own hands but to wait on your timing and your promises. Amen.