Laugh Your Head Off

Daily Reading: Hebrews 11

Scripture Focus: By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age. (Hebrews 11.11)

Devotional Thought: Sarah and Abraham were given a promise by God. They waited for it many, many years. At first it was a fresh vision that kept them going and gave them hope. But, with the passing of years, the vision grew dim, and the promise faded from their thoughts. By the age of 89, Sarah had long given up the hope of bearing children. She was simply past the age. But then one day she and her husband were visited by messengers from God who told her she was going to do just that - have a son. At first she laughed. I guess I would have, too. Something clicked in her spirit, however, and she moved from disbelief to belief. In that movement of faith, the writer of Hebrews said, she "received power to conceive."

The ability to bear a child at the age of 89 was not within her. Actually, for whatever reason, she had never been able to. It was a frustration all her life. But at that unlikely moment, she "received power to conceive." God fulfilled the long-forgotten promise.

God gives us the "power to conceive" as well - even when we are "past the age."

What promises from God lie dormant in your heart? Have you given up on them? Lacking the resources and circumstances to see them fulfilled, have you simply said, "I'm past the age"? Hear the words of Jesus: "I came that they [you] may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10.10). Lay hold of the promise of God. Receive the power to conceive.

And then laugh your head off!

Prayer: Lord, speak a fresh word and a renewed vision into my heart today. Help me to believe, to receive, and to conceive. I lay hold of abundant life in Jesus today - even though I'm "past the age." Amen!

Psalm of the Day: 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar. (Psalms 51:16-19)