Waiting on Joy

There is no time lost in waiting… ifyou are waiting on the Lord. Sarah, the woman God had called “a mother of nations,” waited on the Lord for 25 years! Clutching God’s remarkable promise for a son, she had waited—right on past her childbearing years. The future looked hopeless, and although she had her moments of doubt, yet she hoped—hoped on the words the Lord Himself had spoken: “At the appointed time… Sarah shall have a son.” (See Genesis 17:16; 18:14.)

The English Bible doesn’t say it—but, oh, does the Hebrew language ever say it! Sarah and Abraham’s desert tent rang with sounds of joy! Sarah could not contain her gladness as she held her promised son. Once again Sarah was laughing. Oh, she had laughed before when the angels and the Lord had again promised the child. But then her laughter had been rooted in disbelief (Genesis 18:12). Now she exulted, singing in her own words, “God has made me laugh” (Genesis 21:6). Now hers was the hearty laughter of joy upon joy! “Who would have dreamed?” Sarah probably marveled. Certainly not she! But God, who is always fully able, had accomplished the miracle. Others would no longer laugh at her—now they would laugh with her in joy. (See Genesis 18:12; 21:6.)

Dear woman of God, join with Sarah in her chorus of praise! Even when life is difficult here, you can know joy because of the hope you have in Christ. Hereyou have cause to sing even when you don’t feel like singing, even when God’s promises aren’t yet fulfilled. At the appointed time—here or in heaven—God will give you reason to sing as He demonstrates His faithfulness to you. But sing now, as you look forward to the fulfillment of all His promises to you and to your season of joy!

Read Waiting on Joy on Elizabeth & Jim George.