When did you laugh the hardest since you’ve been on this trip? How about in your whole life?
Read: Genesis 18:1-15 from “The Voice” translation – The Story of Sarah…laughing all the way!
The Eternal One appeared once again to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, while he was resting at the entrance to his tent in the middle of a hot afternoon. 2 Abraham glanced up and saw there were three men standing nearby. They seemed to appear out of nowhere. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent out to where they were standing and greeted them warmly, instinctively bowing to the ground.
Abraham: 3 My lord, if you would like to stay for a while, I beg you not to pass me by. I am your humble servant. 4 Let me send someone for water in order to wash your feet. Please go and sit down under that tree over there and rest. 5 Meanwhile, let me send for some bread so that you can nourish yourselves. After that I will not detain you further—you may be on your way—since you have come and honored your servant with your presence.
Three Men: Please, go and do what you have suggested.
6 In spite of the heat, Abraham hurried into his tent to Sarah.
Abraham (to Sarah): Sarah, we have guests. Quickly prepare three measures[a] of our best flour, knead it, and make cakes.
7 Then Abraham ran to where his herds were pastured. He took a tender calf and gave it to one of his servants, who rushed off to prepare the choice meat. 8 When it was ready, Abraham took curds and milk, along with the meat, and he placed all of this lavish feast before his honored guests. He stood nearby under the tree while they ate to their fill.
Three Men: 9 Where is Sarah, your wife?
Abraham: She’s right in there . . . in the tent.
One of the Men: 10 I will return here to you when life emerges from the womb[b] of your wife, Sarah. She will give birth to a son.[c]
Now Sarah was behind her guests, listening to all of this from the entrance of the tent. 11 Abraham and Sarah were quite old at this time, well advanced in years, and Sarah had long ago gone through menopause. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying under her breath, “At my age—old and decrepit, as is my husband—both of us long past having any desire to engage in lovemaking?” 13 But the Eternal heard what Sarah said and addressed Abraham.
Eternal One: Why does Sarah laugh and say to herself, “There’s no way I’m going to give birth at my age!” 14 Is anything too difficult for the Eternal One to accomplish? At a time that I will determine, I will return here to you when life emerges from her womb. I’m telling you, Sarah will give birth to a son.[d]
15 Sarah was embarrassed and tried to deny laughing. She feared these were no ordinary guests.
Sarah: I wasn’t laughing.
Eternal One: That is not true, Sarah. You did laugh.
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What is laughable in this story? Why?
Who showed “Epic Fail” in this story?
Who showed “Epic Faith”?
Where in your life is God telling you, “It’s never too late”? Or is God saying, “It’s okay to laugh”? What will you do about that this week, after you return home?
In tonight’s story about Jesus walking on the water, name the “Epic Fails”?
Key in on verse 31: What is the first word?
“IMMEDIATELY”. Jesus could have let Peter tread water for awhile, but He didn’t. He helped Peter turn his “Epic Fail” into “Epic Faith”.
The words to the song “God Will Make A Way” serve as a great reminder of who we are and WHOSE we are:
“God will make a way where there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide, hold me closely by His side,
With love and strength for each new day, God will make a way. God will make a way.”
Pray as God leads you.