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When waiting births a Promise
by Phillis Britz
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” – Romans 4:18
Waiting is never easy. It tests our faith, stretches our patience, and often confronts our deepest fears and insecurities. Yet, it is in the waiting that some of God’s most profound work takes place. The story of Abraham and Sarah is a timeless testament of what happens when hope is kept alive during a season of delay—and how God’s promises never expire, not even when circumstances scream otherwise.
The weight of the wait
Abraham and Sarah were no strangers to waiting. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 12:2-3). Yet decades passed with no child. Sarah remained barren, and time was not on their side. They aged, naturally losing hope. Sarah even laughed when she overheard God reaffirming the promise (Genesis 18:12). Who wouldn’t? The idea of becoming a mother at nearly 90 sounded laughably impossible.
Still, despite the odds, Abraham “did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God” (Romans 4:20). Their story is a reminder that even when our faith is small, or when we falter, God remains faithful.
What happens in the waiting
Waiting is not passive—it is deeply transformative. In the years between the promise and the fulfillment, Abraham and Sarah learned valuable lessons. They experienced fear, disappointment, and even failure. But they also encountered God intimately.
While they waited:
- God shaped their character.
- He revealed His power.
- He taught them about trust and timing.
God is not only interested in the outcome—He is invested in who we become along the way.
Hope that holds
There is a kind of hope that survives in silence. It isn’t loud or showy. It’s a quiet, persistent belief that what God said, He will do. Romans 4:18 says Abraham believed “in hope against hope.” That means he had no earthly reason to believe anymore, but he still did.
Hope is not the denial of reality; it is the defiance of it when it contradicts God’s word.
This kind of hope waits not just with expectation, but with endurance. And in the case of Abraham and Sarah, it was not in vain. Isaac, the son of promise, was born—not when it was convenient, not when it made sense, but exactly when God had appointed (Genesis 21:2).
Why? Because it’s about protection, clarity, and security — for both of you.
The Breakthrough is always on time
The birth of Isaac is more than just a happy ending. It is a divine declaration that no word from God will ever fail. (Luke 1:37)
Sometimes, we think that God is late. But the truth is, He’s rarely early and never late—He is always on time. The years of waiting weren’t wasted; they were woven into the fabric of the miracle. Without the long delay, there would be no testimony of impossible faith, no demonstration of divine power, and no enduring legacy of hope for generations to come.
God’s Will is unstoppable and undebatable
One of the greatest lessons from Abraham and Sarah’s story is this: No man, no mistake, no delay, and no opposition can stand in the way of God’s will.
God’s plan for your life cannot be canceled—not by people, not by time, and not even by your own missteps. Ishmael may have been Sarah’s idea, but Isaac was God’s will—and no one could prevent it.
And here’s the truth: You can’t argue with a will you don’t fully understand. Many tried to label Sarah barren forever. Many likely questioned Abraham’s faith, but they didn’t know what God had declared. Just because others don’t see it, feel it, or believe it doesn’t make it any less real.
God doesn’t need a second opinion to fulfill His purpose. When He speaks a word over your life, it stands—unchallenged and unmatched.
Hope for today
Are you in a season of waiting?
Maybe you’ve been praying for healing, for a spouse, for a child, for restoration, or for direction. The wait can feel like a wilderness but let Abraham and Sarah’s story speak to your heart: God has not forgotten. If He says it, He will do it. The waiting room of God is not punishment—it’s preparation.
Even if you’ve taken detours and even if you’ve tried to make your own plans, His grace is still greater. And when the breakthrough comes, it will be worth every tear, every prayer, and every moment of hope that refused to give up.
Hold on. Your appointed time is coming. And when it comes, it will be God’s will—and no one will be able to stop it.
“At the appointed time I will return to you, and Sarah shall have a son.” – Genesis 18:14
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