January 9: Of People Who Should Have Been Toast

Genesis 20:1-22:24

Matthew 7:15-29

Psalm 9:1-12

Proverbs 2:16-22

As a husband, Abraham was toast.  No way he could stand up to Abimelek, who had just taken his wife.  But God intervened.

As a mother, Sarah was toast.  No way a woman her age was going to get pregnant, much less give birth to a healthy child.  But God intervened.

As people still alive, Hagar and her son were toast.  Lost in the desert, food and water gone, mother so bereft of hope she leaves her son to the certainty of death alone.  But God intervened.

And as an heir to his father, Isaac was literally going to be toast.  Bound and lain on an altar, a knife about to extinguish his life.  But God intervened.

When Abraham was watching them take his beloved, beautiful Sarah away, he had no idea what God would do.  Nor Sarah, as she counted her days of fruitlessness, nor Hagar as she and her son drained the last drops of their water.  Nor, certainly, Isaac, whose emotions I cannot begin to imagine, watching his father bind him and prepare to plunge the knife.

Impossible, helpless, hopeless situations all of them.  But God intervened, though they might not have known He was there, did not know He would, nor HOW He would. 

Why?  Because, as the psalmist says today, He "reigns forever", and "is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Therefore even when we think He isn't there, He is; and even when we don't know when or how, He IS in control and He does intervene.  So that, again as the psalmist says, we can "give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart", and "tell of Your wonderful deeds."

Father, when we are faced with the trouble and trial, problem and pain, helplessness and hopelessness, teach us to give thanks to You, certain of your presence, your power, and your provision and protection.  And give us peace.