Sarah Laughs

“Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” — Genesis 18:14

God gave Abram and Sarai new names. Abram became Abraham, which means “father of many”. And Sarai became Sarah, which means “princess”. But they still had no baby. Abraham was nearly one hundred years old now, and Sarah was almost ninety.

One very hot day, Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent, under some big oak trees. He looked up, and there were three men standing nearby.

Abraham jumped up and ran to meet them, and bowed down low. “Please stay,” he said. “Let me bring you some water to wash your feet, and you can rest under the tree. I’ll get you something to eat.”

Then Abraham hurried into the tent. “Quick, Sarah!” he said. “Bake some bread!” He ran to his herd and chose a good, tender calf for a servant to cook. And soon he set out a feast for his visitors, with milk and curds and the meat, and stood near them under the tree while they ate.

These were not ordinary visitors. One of them was God Himself, come to visit Abraham.

“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked.

“There, in the tent,” said Abraham.

“I will come back to you this time next year,” said the Lord, “and your wife Sarah will have a son.”

Now Sarah was inside the tent, just behind the doorway, listening. And when she heard that, she laughed to herself. “Me? Have a baby?” she thought. “I’m far too old for that. And so is my husband!”

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can I really have a baby when I’m old?’ Is anything too difficult for the Lord? I will come back next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Sarah was frightened. “I didn’t laugh,” she said.

“Yes, you did laugh,” said the Lord.

Well, a year went by. And the Lord did for Sarah exactly what He had promised. Sarah had a baby boy! Abraham was one hundred years old.

Abraham named him Isaac, which means “he laughs”. And this time Sarah laughed again. But it wasn’t a laugh of disbelief any more. It was a laugh of joy!

“God has made me laugh,” she said, “and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would feed a baby? But I have had a son in his old age!”

God had made a promise that seemed impossible. And He kept it. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord.

Read it in your Bible: Genesis 18:1–15; 21:1–7

Dear God, nothing is too hard for you. When I find it hard to believe, please help me to trust you. Thank you for the joy you give. Amen.