“Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed , and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to a man who is ONE HUNDRED years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”, Genesis chapter 17 verse 17.

The immediate context of this verse is that God had promised to give Abraham a son by his wife, Sarah. Naturally speaking, such a promise could never be fulfilled. Both of them were well beyond the age of child-bearing. Indeed, the whole plan was impossible and we fully understand Abraham’s response (or do we?). “Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is ONE HUNDRED years old. And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”, Genesis chapter 17 verse 17-18.

We might be tempted to conclude that Abraham’s laugh was one of derision and disbelief. However, if we read through our New Testament, we will come across a statement by the apostle Paul that will lead us to the conclusion that we have been wrong to mistrust the depths of Abraham’s faith. Paul wrote of him: “who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be”. And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a HUNDRED years old) and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform”, Romans chapter 4 verses 18-21.

May the Lord strengthen our faith to believe that nothing is too hard for Him!