Genesis 21:1-7 (ESV)
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. And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
Devotional Reflection
The nature of God's promises is such that, when held up to the false light of reason, we cannot help but laugh in derision and unbelief. "How can a mere word--even the Word of God--make such a reality true?" Even the saints who have believed God's Word and have, because of their faith, been declared righteous must daily struggle against their natural reason which wants to mock the promises of God as if they are nothing but the ravings of a lunatic.
We see this in the life of Abraham and Sarah. When the angels announced to them that a son would be born to them in their old age--to bodies that were as good as dead--Sarah laughed. Her natural reason simply could not give its assent to this seemingly ridiculous promise. And this is because our natural reason has no power to assent to God's promises. "It is not by my own reason or strength that I believe in my Lord Jesus or come to him..." Luther writes in the Small Catechism. Our natural reason is fallen. It is unable to give its assent to the great and gracious promises of God because our reason does not trust God to be gracious and merciful, our reason does not believe that God would act for our good, our reason does not believe that a mere word--even the Word of God--can create realities that defy reason.
And this is why God must give us faith. Faith is a gift that God give to us--from outside of ourselves. Faith does not originate from within our rebellious reason, but faith is created through the power of the Holy Spirit who "calls us by the gospel (God's promises)" and enlightens our darkened understanding. Faith is the gift of trust. Through faith, God creates a new heart that hears his promises and trusts that--no matter how contrary to reason they sound--they are certain and true. This is the beautiful irony of Isaac's name. Isaac means "he laughs." Faith rejoices in hope and laughs with joy that the promises of God cannot be broken--even by our unbelief and little faith. Every word that God speaks is true despite what reason tells you. When God promised in your baptism that your sins, though they were many, are washed away--it stands true. When Christ gives you his body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins--it stands true. When the pastor stands before you and states, "In the stead and by the command of Christ I forgive you all your sins..." it stands true. So believe. Rejoice. Laugh. Because the promises of God will never fail.
Image Description (AI Prompt)
An abstract representation of an elderly, wrinkled man holding a newborn baby boy. The image should blend the elements of old age and new life using abstract shapes and forms, with a color palette that contrasts the vibrancy of youth (bright, lively colors) and the wisdom of age (softer, muted tones). The scene should evoke a sense of joy and generational connection, with the figures merging into an almost dream-like composition.