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GRUMBLING: ABRAM/SARAI TO ABRAHAM/SARAH – “WHY NOT YET?”

By: Sarah Bishop

Posted: October 24, 2022

Category: Daily Devotional

Genesis 17:15-17

“God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” 17Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

Prayer

Steadfast God, you have been with Abram and Sarai from the very beginning, their early marriage (Gen11:29) and Sarai’s barrenness noted at the start. I am humbled to hear of how You went with them on their journey across lands far from their kindred, as they heard your promise of that blessing of a land and a people. Did they believe it, I wonder? They traveled to that land of Canaan, full of hope and yet was not fulfilled. Not yet. And so, you sent them onto Egypt and separated them even further from family. They fought battles and won, and yet no son. What faith I am called to emulated from their patience, yet also truly see Abram continual grumbling, when Lord? These are grumblings of my own heart, if I am honest now in this prayer, O Lord God. When Lord, will I see those promises you’ve made in my own life be full filled? When Lord, as I’ve been through so much, will I also receive your blessings?

As I have heard your promises and read again the covenant you made with Abram as his name is changed to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah, may I also take comfort. That you do not forget your servants. You hear my grumblings, can handle my frustrations and impatience, you are faithful and so I acknowledge that itch of ‘not yet.’ I am still listening for the why, may your Holy Spirit truly sustain me in this between time and allow me to give thanks when you do fulfill your promise. Amen.