Waiting Patiently On the Lord

Genesis 17:19–21 KJV

“[19] And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. [20] And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. [21] But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”

Abraham initial calling and covenant with God occurred at the age of 75. When we arrive at our text in Genesis 17, Abraham is 99 years old. He and Sarah had been waiting 24 years on God’s promises.

Abraham and Sarah waited patiently for God to deliver on His promise; however, it took Abraham some time to fully comprehend God’s ability to keep His Word, especially since Sarah, the woman who was to bear Abraham’s seed, was barren and supposedly unable to have children. Abraham and Sarah plotted in an attempt to bring God’s promise to fruition. Sarah, knowing she was barren, offered her servant, Hagar, to Abraham. However, God said that the child born from that relationship, Ishmael, was not the child of promise.

God declared that Sarah, Abraham’s barren wife, would do the impossible and bear a son, Isaac, who would be the child of promise. This teaches us that if God said it, then it will be done. We must obey God and not attempt to determine how God will achieve His will; instead, we must patiently wait on Him. Ultimately, in His timing, God’s will, shall be done.

Abraham believed God, patiently endured, and received the fulfillment of the promise. In reality, Abraham was not taking a chance by believing God. No risk was involved, because the Word of God is the surest thing in the universe. God specializes in accomplishing what seems impossible. When human ability reaches its limit, divine power begins to work. Sarah’s barrenness could not stop God’s promise, and time could not cancel His covenant. The same God who fulfilled His Word to Abraham is still faithful today. Therefore, we must trust Him completely, wait patiently, and walk obediently, knowing that whatever God has promised, He is fully able to perform.