Sarah Laughed at God | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 18:1-15
What do you do when God's promises sound too good to be true? This week at Grace, we're in Genesis 18:1–15, where God tells Abraham and Sarah they’ll have a son—and Sarah laughs. Her response isn’t just disbelief, it’s a mirror for the doubts we all carry when God's timing feels off or His plans seem impossible. We’ll look at what Sarah’s laughter reveals about our own hearts and how God's gentle, faithful response invites us to deeper trust. Come join us as we move from skepticism to faith together.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach
Genesis 18:1-15 (ESV)
1 And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hardnfor the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”
REFLECTION:
Reflect on your own prayer life: Do you scoff at God in your heart? Do you laugh at God the same way Sarah did toward the things he has promised? In your time of reflection, consider if there are areas of your life or issues in the world you have simply stopped praying for or over because you have given up hope God will do anything about it. What can you do with this pain and doubt? As you wrestle with these difficult questions and reflections, remember Sarah's moment of doubt offers us a warning to not view cynicism as maturity or apathy as inevitable with age. Remaining steadfast in God's hope and promise for us requires great faith and great trust in the One who is trustworthy.