God’s Sense of Humor

“Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, ‘Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?’” – Genesis 17:17

The Old Testament story of Abraham is interesting from so many angles. From a purely literary perspective, it is a story full of intrigue, plot twists, and even humor.

We first read of Abram, as he was then named, in Genesis 12 when God asks him to leave his birthplace and move with his wife Sarai to the land of Canaan. At that time, God promised to make their children and future generations into a “great nation.” There was only one problem. Abram and Sarai were unable to have children.

The humorous element enters in Genesis 17 when God tells the still childless Abram, whose name ironically means “exalted father,” that He is changing his name to Abraham, which means “father of many.” In addition, Sarai’s name is changed to Sarah, meaning “mother of nations.” You can just imagine the snickering going on behind the couple’s back after telling their friends of the name changes.

Several times God restated His promise, particularly when Abram attempted to solve the infertility issue through human means. Eventually, God did grant them a son, Isaac, in their old age. Isaac bore Jacob, who then bore 12 sons, who populated the tribes of Israel.

All kidding aside, the point of Abraham’s story is one for all of us. How do we handle the disappointment of unmet expectations or dreams? Do we doubt God’s faithfulness and try to accomplish things through our own means? Or do we continue to trust Him through the dark times, even reaching the point of marveling at His dependability?

Heavenly Father, help me to trust you during the dark times when you seem distant. Amen.

Go Deeper — Look back at your life and see if you can identify times when God met your needs or dreams in ways you hadn’t even imagined. Write them down.

 

The Gift of Love

1 John 4:7-10

Is there someone in your life you’re struggling to love? In other words, is there a person for whom—despite your good intentions, effort, and awareness of how you ought to act—it just seems impossible to muster any affection? Knowing that we should love doesn’t automatically make us adequate for the task. However, being a Christian opens the door for God to enable us by pouring His love into our hearts through His indwelling Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

First John 4:19 says, “We love, because He first loved us.” What a relief to know that love is a gift from God and not something we must manufacture within ourselves. What’s more, the love He produces in us is not just for others but also for God Himself. He is aware that we have no resources within ourselves to love Him unless He enables us through His Holy Spirit.

The Lord doesn’t give us a command without providing whatever obedience requires. When we trust Christ as Savior, we receive not only forgiveness of our sins and adoption into God’s family but also the ability to love as He does. In fact, His love in and through us is evidence that we are born of God and know Him (John. 4:7). As we submit, Christ’s life is displayed in us through selfless, sacrificial care for others.

Although the Lord has richly poured His love into our hearts, we have the responsibility to grow in it. Every unlovable person in our life is an opportunity to let God teach us to love (1 Thess. 4:9-10). And every time we learn to know Him more intimately through His Word, our adoration of God increases.

Genuine Salt of Humility

Humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 15:33

Humiliation of soul always brings a positive blessing with it. If we empty our hearts of self, God will fill them with His love. If we desire close communion with Christ, we should remember the word of the Lord: “This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”¹

Stoop if you want to climb to heaven. Is it not said of Jesus, “He who descended is the one who also ascended”?² So must you. You must grow downwards, that you may grow upwards; for the sweetest fellowship with heaven will be enjoyed by humble souls and by them alone. God will deny no blessing to a thoroughly humbled spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,”³ with all its riches and treasures. All of God’s resources will be made available to the soul that is humble enough to be able to receive them without growing proud because of it.

God blesses each of us up to the level and extent of what it is safe for Him to do. If you do not get a blessing, it is because it is not safe for you to have one. If our heavenly Father were to let your unhumbled spirit win a victory in His holy war, you would snatch the crown for yourself, and in the next battle you would fall a victim. He keeps you low for your own safety!

When a man is sincerely humble and never tries to take the credit or the praise, there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace and equips us to deal efficiently with our fellows. True humility is a flower that will adorn any garden. This is a sauce that will season every dish of life and improve it in every case. Whether in prayer or praise, whether in work or suffering, the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess.

¹⁾Isaiah 66:2
²⁾Ephesians 4:10
³⁾Matthew 5:3