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In chapter 15 God promised Abram that God would bring forth a son for him out of his own body and that his descendants would inherit the land we know today as Israel. But in chapter 16, his wife, Sarai, took matters into her own hands and helped God out by suggesting that Abram produce a son through her handmaiden, Hagar.

Abram listened to his wife and went into Hagar and the result was Ishmael, a wild donkey of a man whose hand would be against everyone and everyone’s hand would be against him. We are seeing the consequences of that today as Ishmael became the father of the Arab nations and the conflicts in the Middle East can be traced back to Abram and Sarai taking matters into their own hands and coming up with their own solution rather than trusting God.

Then, after 13 long years of facing the consequences of not trusting God, with all the conflict, the drama, and chaos, God appeared to Abram, changed his name to Abraham, the father of a multitude, and said again that Abraham would have a son, but this time was very clear, “Your wife, Sarah, will bear a son.” When Abraham heard it, he fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man 100 years old? And will Sarah, who is 90 years old, bear a child?” He even brought up Ishmael to God, saying, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” God responded firmly, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son and My covenant will be with him.”
Chapter 18 takes place just a short time later. The Lord appears to Abraham and confirmed again that his wife, Sarah, would have a son. But this time Sarah herself hears this promise and she also laughed within her heart.

This is a story of Abraham and Sarah learning to walk by faith. Hearing God’s promises is one thing, but learning to walk by them is quite another. In the end, however, both Abraham and Sarah will be listed in Hebrews 11, that famous chapter which we call the hall of faith.

I. Nothing is too Difficult for the Lord

 This is the great lesson of the chapter and it’s the substance of living by faith.

 “Where is Sarah, your wife?” the Lord said to Abraham. Perhaps he said her name knowing that she would listen, or eavesdrop, more attentively.

 Abraham and Sarah both laughed when they heard that Sarah would bear a son, but the Lord responded, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” If we can grasp the greatness of that truth, we can understand what it means to walk by faith.

A. God brings you to the end of your strength

 They tried to fulfill God’s promises by their own efforts; they tried to help God and only created problems and difficulties.

 God waited until they came to the end of their own efforts, the end of their own strength. Sarah was 90 years old and it would take a miracle for her to have a son.

 The Lord wants you to recognize your weakness so you will trust His strength. Sometimes, however we need help recognizing our weakness and God has creative ways of helping us see.

 Many people struggle in their Christian walk because they don’t recognize their weakness and they trust in themselves rather than in the Lord.

 It’s when we recognize our weakness that we trust in God’s help and God’s strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong.

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