Lessons from Sarah’s Laughter
Sermon July 20, 2025 by Pastor Nathan Johnson
In the journey of faith, we often encounter moments that challenge our beliefs and push us to question the promises we’ve been given. One such poignant moment in biblical history revolves around Sarah, the wife of Abraham, and her reaction to God’s promise of a child in her old age. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the struggle between faith and skepticism that many believers face.
Picture the scene: Abraham and Sarah, well advanced in years, receive an unexpected visit from the Lord Himself. As they offer hospitality to their divine guest, a promise is reiterated – Sarah will bear a son within a year. Sarah’s response? She laughs silently to herself, doubt creeping into her heart despite the plethora of evidence surrounding her of God’s faithfulness.
This moment of skepticism raises a profound question: Why did Sarah laugh? It’s a question that invites us to examine our own hearts and responses to God’s promises in our lives.
Sarah’s laughter wasn’t born in a vacuum. She and Abraham had a history with God’s promise of a child. Years had passed since the initial promise, and in their impatience, they had even tried to “help” God fulfill His word through Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar. This misguided attempt led to complications and heartache, yet God remained patient with them, not abandoning His promise or His chosen vessels.
As we delve deeper into Sarah’s mindset, we can identify three primary reasons for her skeptical laughter:
- The Laugh of Chronology: Sarah allowed her history of barrenness to lock down her faith. How often do we do the same? We rehearse our past failures and limitations, believing that if something hasn’t happened before, it can’t happen now. But God’s power isn’t limited by our history.
- The Laugh of Current Condition: Sarah looked at her aged body and thought, “Now? After I’m worn out and shriveled up?” She believed her best days were behind her. Many of us fall into this trap, allowing our current circumstances to override God’s promises. We forget that God sees beyond our present limitations.
- The Laugh of Companionship: Sarah not only doubted herself but also her husband’s capability. “He’s old too,” she thought. How often do we refuse to believe in God’s promises because we’ve evaluated the company around us and found them lacking? We forget that God’s ability to fulfill His word isn’t contingent on the condition of those around us.
At the core of Sarah’s laughter was a fundamental misunderstanding. She had confused her role as the promisee with that of the promiser. She forgot that she was the recipient, not the resource. This confusion led her to focus on what she couldn’t do, rather than on what God wanted to do through her.
In response to Sarah’s doubt, God poses a rhetorical question that echoes through the ages: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” This question challenges us to reconsider our perspective on God’s power. It invites us to expand our understanding of what’s possible when we align our faith with God’s promises.
The story of Sarah doesn’t end with her skeptical laughter. In a beautiful turn of events, God proves His faithfulness. Sarah conceives and bears a son, whom they name Isaac – meaning “laughter.” The very thing that once represented her doubt becomes a symbol of joy and God’s miraculous power.
This transformation of laughter from skepticism to joy is a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journeys. God has the power to change our perspective, to turn our “it can’t be done” into “look what the Lord has done!” He can transform our “no way” into “the Lord has made a way!”
The narrative of Sarah’s laughter reminds us of another pivotal moment in history – the crucifixion of Jesus. On that Friday, skeptics laughed and mocked as Jesus hung on the cross. They thought it was over, that death had won. But Sunday morning changed everything. The resurrection turned the laughter of mockers into the joy of believers, proving once again that nothing is too hard for our God.
As we reflect on these stories, we’re challenged to examine our own responses to God’s promises. Are we allowing our past experiences, current limitations, or the skepticism of others to eclipse the brilliance of what God is saying to us? Are we confusing our role as recipients of God’s promise with being the source of its fulfillment?
God confronts each of us with a reiteration of His promises. He invites us to move beyond our skepticism and into a place of trusting faith. Whether it’s the promise of salvation, of a transformed life, or of His presence in our struggles, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think.
For those who have been laughing at the possibility of giving their lives to God, thinking it’s too late or too hard, remember – if He could save others, He can save you. If He could empower others to walk in newness of life, He can do that for you too. Don’t limit God by your skepticism.
To the Christian without a church home, to the backslider thinking it’s too hard to come back, remember that nothing is too hard for God. He can give you what you need to return to your spiritual family, to continue on the journey of healing and restoration.
In conclusion, let us choose to trust not in ourselves, but in the Lord. Let us embrace the wonder of a God for whom nothing is too extraordinary, too wonderful, or too hard. May our laughter be transformed from doubt to joy as we witness the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives. After all, can’t nobody do us like Jesus – He picks us up, turns us around, and plants our feet on solid ground. Trust in Him, for He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.