Do you hate waiting? I do. That’s why I can relate to Sarah’s story in the Bible. Waiting was hard for her, too. As a child, my mom often reminded me, “Good things come to those who wait.” This might be because I’ve never been very patient. In fact, my husband used to call me the “minute plus” lady because of how I microwaved food. I was too impatient to punch in the time and level. Instead, I pushed the “minute plus” button several times and cooked everything fast and on high. Of course, my impatience frequently led to overcooked, rubbery food.
I have often reaped the negative consequences of my impatience. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to redo smudged nails because I couldn’t wait for them to dry. I’ve overpaid for retail goods simply because I couldn’t wait two days for Amazon to deliver them. There was also the time I couldn’t wait for my knee to heal after surgery. I had to get up and move. And the result was an extra two weeks on crutches. So, it is no surprise that my mom’s adage is Biblical. “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him” (Lamentations 3:25, NKJV).
Recently, I’ve been reflecting on Sarah’s story (Genesis 15-17). Although Sarah was a woman of faith, she wasn’t perfect. Like me, Sarah struggled to wait patiently. Yet she is listed in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews. “And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise” (Hebrews 11:11, NIV). Why? What lessons about God and life can we learn from her story?
Sarah’s Story
Sarah’s story begins when we are introduced to her as Abraham’s barren wife (Genesis 11:30). This was a source of shame for Sarah (originally Sarai) because, in her culture, a wife’s job was to produce an heir. So, she feared her barrenness was a sign of God’s disfavor.
But when Abraham was 75 years old, the Lord came to him and promised to give him a son, “a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:4-5, NIV).
Sarah waited patiently for ten years. But when she didn’t get pregnant, her impatience and shame made her heartsick. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12, NIV).
This caused her to question whether God’s plan included her, so she took matters into her own hands. To ensure God’s promise, she instructed Abraham to have a child with her maid, Hagar. But when Hagar conceived, things became worse. It caused a lot of strife between the two women.
But despite the mess Sarah made, God fulfilled his promise. After waiting 24 more years, God again promised to give Abraham a son with Sarah (Genesis 17:16). Sarah conceived. The following year, she gave birth to their son Isaac (Genesis 21:2-3).
Lessons Learned From Sarah’s Story:
Our Expectations and Circumstances Can Mislead Us
When God promised Abraham a son, Sarah expected to conceive right away. So when she didn’t, she tried to make it happen with Hagar. Then, when God reiterated his promise 24 years later, saying she would bear Abraham’s child, Sarah laughed. It didn’t make sense in her circumstances. She was very old and had been unable to conceive in the past.
But our expectations and circumstances do not limit God. Jesus reminds us, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, NIV).
God’s Timing is Perfect, Even If It’s Not Ours
Sara’s story illustrates how God’s timing may not be when we think or hope. However, God’s timing is always right. Isaac was born when Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100. Abraham did become the “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). Yet, God’s promise and plan were only fulfilled when God knew Sarah and Abraham were ready.
The Bible explains God’s timing this way: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness” (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIV).
Patience and Perseverance Pay Off
As Sarah illustrated, waiting for God is hard but worth it. Sarah waited 25 years from God’s initial promise to Abraham. During this time, her faith was tested. She made mistakes. And she went through God’s preparation and refining process. But she finally got her heart’s desire: a son.
For this reason, the Bible instructs us, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land” (Psalms 37:7-9, NIV).
God is Faithful to Fulfill His Promises
God is faithful, reliable, and trustworthy. He keeps His promises. “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down” (Psalms 145:13-14, NIV).
Sarah’s foolish plan to give Abraham a son through Hagar didn’t nullify God’s promise. This demonstrates that even the foolishness of our impatient actions can’t undo God’s promises. There’s no sin too great or mess too big that God can’t redeem. Even “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Timothy 2:13, NIV).
Final Thoughts
Like Sarah, I have often allowed my desires and dreams to keep me from putting my hope in the power of my prayers and God’s promises. I must trust God’s timing rather than letting my expectations and circumstances mislead me. I need to be still and wait patiently for God. Sarah has taught me that God fulfills His promises, even when I make a mess. I am so thankful God is infinitely patient with me, even when I am impulsive and impatient!
Friend, has God given you a promise? Then, please hold on to that promise. “God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises!” (Numbers 23:19, CEB). Has God placed a dream or calling on your life? If it feels like it will never come to pass, keep these words close to your heart. “At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” (Isaiah 60:22, NLT) If God placed that promise, dream, or desire in your heart, then it will happen according to His perfect timing!
