On New Year’s Eve, Brittany was working hard at her restaurant job when she suddenly went into labor. Her son was the first baby born in her city that year, but that wasn’t the most remarkable thing about the birth. According to Brittany, neither she nor her husband had any idea she was pregnant. The baby was a surprise!
Imagine Sarah’s surprise when she overheard one of their guests tell her husband that she would have a baby within a year (Genesis 18:1-15). The idea seemed so improbable for the old woman that she barely stifled her laughter. Despite her incredulity, the visitor affirmed the promise. Fast forward one year. Sarah was laughing with joy: “The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age” (Genesis 21:1-2). In His grace, God didn’t judge Sarah for lack of faith; instead, He magnified her laughter through Isaac’s birth.
Trials can be a drain on our faith, and we may be tempted to hold on less tightly to God’s promises in Scripture as we face difficult days. But He’s gracious and kind, telling us as He told Israel, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you” (Isaiah 41:10).
What trials are you facing today? Consider God’s promises, such as that He’ll be “with you” and that He’ll “never abandon you” (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). And whether or not God moves the way you’d choose, may you be able to say with the psalmist, “When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy” (Psalm 126:1-2). May God fill your heart with grace and joy today!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 23:23–24:27
More:
Read Luke 1:5-23 to see how Zechariah and Elizabeth reacted to the news that they would have a son in their old age.
Next:
Do you really believe that with God nothing is impossible? How does your life reflect what you believe about that statement? How can you have joy even when God doesn’t do what you had hoped?
Gary Shultz on November 13, 2016 at 6:15 am
Hi Remi, yes, I do believe that all things are possible with God. In the account today there is a whole nationality of peoples because of that blessing God wanted to give Abraham. There was something God wanted to accomplish, and it was not at all to difficult for Him to bend nature to make it happen. Some times I think folks want a miracle for themselves and it doesn’t happen. Does God still give grace? Yes he does, but we are not going to see miraculous events occur unless He grants a prayer request or in this case wanted a path for His work to follow. So, I am with you, we always have God’s grace available to us and for us. I guess the questions is, is that enough, as Paul was answered, my grace is sufficient. The miracle is God’s grace. Thanks Remi
remioyedele2015 on November 13, 2016 at 1:34 pm
Hello Gary,
Yes, God’s grace and generosity are truly miraculous – I was just reminded of that again in Church this morning. May His name be praised!
Be blessed,
Remi
youssef1777 on November 13, 2016 at 11:13 am
PRAISE TO YOU MY LORD AND SAVIOR WATCH OVER ME . I TRUST IN YOU .
youssef1777 on November 13, 2016 at 11:23 am
BY HAVE FAITH IN GOD . THAT KEEP HOPE ALIVE . FACE BAD TIME AND KNOW GOD WITH ME ALL TIME . SO I WILL SMILE .
remioyedele2015 on November 13, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Hello Youssef,
I’m very thankful for the hope we have in Christ; no matter our current situation, we know that He is in control and working everything out for our good. Now, there’s a reason to laugh!!
Be blessed,
Remi
sim jing ying on November 13, 2016 at 11:52 am
I believe with God nothing is impossible. I’ll do things with confidence to back my belief. I can have joy because the things I asked could be unsafe for me which I didn’t thought of so I can have joy because God is always protecting me.
remioyedele2015 on November 13, 2016 at 1:42 pm
Hello Sim Jing,
Yes!! It took me a while to get there, but I thank God for helping me to understand that answers to prayer don’t always come in the package I may expect; yet they always are the very best possible outcome for me. Praise God for His loving care and grace!
Be blessed,
Remi
street on November 13, 2016 at 2:43 pm
grace to lol.
“When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy” (Psalm 126:1-2). May God fill your heart with grace and joy today!
thinking of the joy israel had when they left egypt, when i married and moved into our first house, thinking of the future of not working any more and empty house and the death of friends. may God continue to be my Hope Joy and Crown. with tears turning into laughter. tam/job