The Work of God
Waiting often leads to inner unsettledness. During such times—like waiting for test results, a phone call, or a job offer—we face moments of frustration. As silence persists, pressure, anxiety, and frustration tend to grow. Our minds begin to wander, questioning if the silence will ever end. In Genesis 21, Sarah and Abraham have been patiently waiting for God's promises to come true. They had waited decades for the birth of a son who would be their heir. The chapter shows God's work in fulfilling His promises.
Genesis 21:1-5
The Lord came to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time God had told him. Abraham named his son who was born to him—the one Sarah bore to him—Isaac. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
GOD, THE PROMISE KEEPER
God promised Abraham and Sarah a son as their heir. When the time for the promise to be fulfilled came, God demonstrated His faithfulness to keep His word. Despite Sarah's advancing age and the seemingly impossible chance of pregnancy, God's promise remained unstoppable. Genesis 21 shows that God always fulfills His promises and will do what He has promised, even when it seems impossible to us.
Consider how people face the harsh reality when a contractor vanishes halfway through a home project. The work remains unfinished, and they are unable to finish the home themselves. Unlike the contractor, God is consistent and faithful to His promises because of His character. We should remember that God never abandons His work but completes it in His perfect timing.
Today, we need to acknowledge God's faithful promise-keeping and resist feelings of disappointment when His promises don’t happen according to our schedule. Genesis 21 reminds us to trust in God’s character during our waiting period and to avoid judging our situation based on time. How can you deepen your trust in God's faithfulness and resist the urge to feel let down by His timing?
GOD, THE MIRACLE WORKER
God fulfilled His promise in a miraculous way. Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was well beyond childbearing age. According to human reasoning, the birth was impossible. However, just as Mary was told about Jesus' birth in the New Testament, it becomes clear that what is impossible for humans is possible for God. God’s miracle shows that He can turn what seems hopeless into a display of His power in unmistakable ways.
Today, we often restrict our view of what God can accomplish. We judge His power based on reason and logic rather than trusting in His ability to perform miracles. The Lord takes the broken aspects of life that we cannot fix and heals them. God is specialized in working miracles, which only He can do.
GOD’S PERFECT TIMING
God’s timing is impeccable, while ours can be flawed. The promise and the fulfillment through Isaac spanned many decades. To human perspective, it felt like a long wait, but God’s timing was flawless—never early, never late, always perfect.
Waiting through seasons can be difficult, but this time is when God shapes and prepares us. During this period, we are being molded. Abraham’s story demonstrates how faith grows stronger and our dependence on God is tested while we wait for the Lord. Today, this can be tough in a culture that wants instant responses. However, seeing it from God’s timing reveals that waiting is actually beneficial. How can you learn to wait patiently on the Lord?
Genesis 21:2–5 invites us to trust the work of God. He keeps His promises, performs miracles, works in perfect timing, and accomplishes His purposes. If you are waiting on God today, be encouraged—He is still working. The same God who brought life from barrenness and joy from laughter of doubt is faithful to complete His work in you.
