Is anything too hard for the Lord? Have you struggled to believe what God has given us in His Word? Could all the stories of the Bible really be true? Did the Lord really part the Red Sea? How could God create the universe only by His Word? Most of us at one time or another have had doubts.
Sarah Doubts the Lord in Laughter
The writer of Hebrews commends Sarah for her faith. Hebrews 11: 11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.[1] But as we look deeper into the story of Sarah, her first response to God’s promise of a son was laughter.
Genesis 18: 9 “Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked. “She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied. 10 Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent. 11 Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. 12 So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” [2]
Even though Sarah first laughed at God’s message, she would come to believe it.
Doubting that Anything is too Hard for the Lord
Could God use one man to turn the tide against Israel’s oppressors? Perhaps, but Gideon doubted that God could use himto do it. He challenged God to provide proof of His reliability through a series of miracles. Gideon did this twice before he would believe. Eventually Gideon believed God and led the Israelites to victory. (Judges 6-8)
Thomas was a disciple of Jesus for three years. He had seen Jesus perform all types of miracles including raising people from the dead. Still, he doubted the reports of the resurrection of Jesus. It took a personal visit from Jesus to convince Thomas of the truth. When Thomas finally saw the risen Christ, his doubt disappeared like steam on a dry day.
God’s Response to our Doubt
In each of these accounts, God’s response to doubt is not anger but patience. He doesn’t punish His doubting followers but moves to help their faith grow. God honors those who seek after Him with earnest questions. If God responds in this way in Scripture, we can be sure He will respond to our doubts in the same way.
If you have doubts, pray Mark 9:24b I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.[3] Expect God to answer. Then your prayer will be Psalm 150:2Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness![4]
To hear how Sarah’s doubt was changed to faith, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-sarah
[1-4]New Living TranslationHoly Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.