The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. (21:1–5)
Note: “as he had said” “as he had promised” “which God had spoken to him.”
God keeps his promises. We can take him at his word. As we have already seen, sometimes it takes a long time. Abraham was seventy-five years old when he was first promised a son, and this promised son, Isaac, was born when Abraham was one hundred years old. Twenty-five long years to wait for God to bring that promise to fruition. But we can take God at His word.
We can take God at His word when He promises to provide for us, to bless us when we walk in His ways, to be with us. We can take Him at His word when He tells us that He will cause all things to work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Sometimes when He is using difficult or painful circumstances, it doesn’t feel like it is for our good, but if He says it, it is true. I can testify to this.
God keeps his promises, whether immediately, in the short term, or in the long term. And when we see His promises come to pass, it’s exhilarating! (Look at Sarah’s reaction in verses 6–7).
Prayer: God, you are trustworthy. You do keep Your promises. Help me to have faith and not lose heart when I don’t see it right away. Your promises will all come to pass; they will all be fulfilled. You are so good! Amen.
