I kind of like the way Genesis 21 begins. Somewhat understated, actually . . . kind of matter of fact . . . almost with an air of “what else did you expect?” about it. But it jumps off the page . . . it’s one of those bottom-line statements . . . a bit of rock-solid truth worthy of planting my feet upon . . .

The LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as He had promised. (Genesis 21:1 ESV)

Not a lot of fanfare . . . no trumpets blaring . . . no confetti and streamers falling from the sky . . . just a bit of laughter — laughter of joy, laughter heavily seasoned with awe, laughter ascending as a sweet smelling aroma of adoring worship to the throne of God (21:6). A baby at her bosom . . . Jehovah having visited her, just as He said . . . the God of creation, creating life in an old, worn-out women, just as He promised.

Just as He said . . . just as He promised. Sounds so simple . . . so easy . . . so, “why didn’t you just trust and believe?”

But, if I’m doing the math right, it had been 25 years since this chosen couple of God first heard the promise. Abraham was 75 years old when he left Haran . . . where he had first heard God’s promise that he would become a great nation (12:3-4). Now, as he learned to change diapers, he was 100 years old (21:5). It had been 15 years earlier that “Operation Hagar, Plan B” has been conceived . . . literally . . the 14 year old son of an Egyptian maidservant a constant reminder (but not for long) at how desperate they had become to try and help God make good on His commitments. Sounds foolish . . . but think about . . . 25 years . . . waiting on the promise! Who’s going to throw the first stone? Not me!

But time is our nemesis, not God’s.

If there’s anything I can take away from the biography of Abraham and Sarah, it’s that God will do just as He says . . . just as He promises.

Mine is to know the promise . . . believe the promise . . . and trust in Him during the time of it’s fulfillment. To not be discouraged when doubts arise . . . to not be derailed when my impatience causes me to question . . . to not quit the race because I tried to take a dumb short-cut. But, like Abraham, to keep going back to the Father with my, “Really LORD? When LORD?” . . . to return to His word . . . and believe His word (15:1-6).

Simple . . . not easy . . . but true . . .

Just as He said . . . just as He promised. That’s how my God operates. Amen?