Why Sarah laughed and God smiled back.

When God called Abraham, he was a young married man with a pretty young wife named Sarah.  God asked both to leave their homeland and settle in a land God will point out. Since they were young and adventurous, they said yes excitedly, leaving immediately.

God knew he had chosen the right couple, because of their speedy and positive response.  Then God made this immense promise, “I will make you a great nation, and will bless you.  I will make your name great.”

Sarah couldn’t be more excited.  She and Abraham very much wanted a child, but up to now remained childless.  Now knowing that God had a plan, and that she and Abraham would play momentous roles, she felt better.  Sarah secretly hoped for a family and she is delighted to hear children are high on God’s wish list too.

Yet many years passed and still no son or daughter.  Even as Sarah and Abraham aged, they both still hoped.  If Yahweh promised, Yahweh would deliver, thought Sarah.  No one could shake their trust in his promise even when their friends became skeptical.

One day three men stopped to visit them.  Abraham and Sarah, cordial and affable, were perfect hosts.  The three men were astounded by their generosity and hospitality and promised that by next year Sarah would conceive a child.

Listening at the door of the tent, Sarah laughed. “After I have grown old [92] and my husband is even older [over 110] shall I have such pleasure?  Then the Lord said, “Why did Sarah laugh?  He continued, “Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?” 

But that next spring Sarah gave birth to Isaac, which means he laughs. Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me. Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would suckle children, yet I have borne him a son in his old age,” says Sarah.  And what a surprise that was!

Sarah indeed did laugh for the happy ending God provided her.  She knew God would not forget and God didn’t.  

As we journey this Lent, keep the Sarah and Abraham story before you.  Like them, God has a plan and we have a role to play.  Our response is simply to trust in God’s promises never forgetting that God never neglects those He loves, even in the silence.