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Reaching into the past is always from a benchmark of perspective.
As we pack on the decades, we see events from a decade past as happening “only a few years ago.”
For a three-year-old, those same events took place three lifetimes ago.
What does that say about the events in the Bible? What does it say about their relevance to us in the 21st century? What does it say about our connectedness to those great stories of old that we learned in Sunday school?
God looks back and says, “Oh, yeah, that. Sure, I remember. How about that Sarah and Abraham? I remember when she laughed at the idea she might have a son...”
For the rest of us, that was 4,000 years ago. If we live to be 75, that’s 53 lifetimes ago, or as many as 200 generations.
Yet, the reality of the events in Genesis is as relevant to us as last night. The 200 generations don’t count. It’s the truth we find in the pages of the story that matter to us.
Genesis 18:15 reveals the emotions Sarah felt when God spoke with her:
“Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And [God] said, No; but you did laugh.”
There are three truths to note in this simple verse, and they’re life-changers.
Truth No. 1: God’s power is awesome.
Sarah lied to God. Ouch. She opened her mouth, and untruth came out. Despite her denial, she had, indeed, laughed at the angel’s proclamation that she, in her old age, would have a son. Why did Sarah laugh? When face-to-face with God and his awesome power, she was overwhelmed at what she had done.
Truth No. 2: Lack of trust makes us afraid.
Sarah felt she couldn’t trust God. She’d heard his impossible words, and she couldn’t connect the promises with the reality of the world around her. She couldn’t find trust without facts. Now, fear washed over her, when the Lord wished to bring her peace and comfort.
Truth No. 3: God’s touch is gentle and filled with understanding.
God corrected Sarah’s lie, reminding her that he knows all things, and in him, nothing is hidden, that all is revealed. No lightning fell from the sky, however. No supercharged bolts of electricity flew from his fingertips. He didn’t crisp her or turn her into a pillar of salt. Instead, he reminded her that he was God, he treasures truth in all things, and he also treasures his relationship with us.
The biblical stories of our childhood are vital to our understanding of God. The events didn’t happen lifetimes ago to him. They are his memories of yesterday, and when we connect with the old stories from the Bible, we understand the God who is wrapped up in them.
Our God of today is revealed in the God he was yesterday.
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Code: FGO.C.28.17a.vp.kjv