"The Ugly Truth" by Rachelle Miller - Genesis 21:1 Adonai remembered Sarah as he had said, and Adonai did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah conceived and bore Avraham a son in his old age, at the very time God had said to him. 3 Avraham called his son, born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Yitz’chak. 4 Avraham circumcised his son Yitz’chak when he was eight days old, as God had ordered him to do.
(v) 5 Avraham was one hundred years old when his son Yitz’chak [laughter] was born to him. 6 Sarah said, “God has given me good reason to laugh; now everyone who hears about it will laugh with me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Avraham that Sarah would nurse children? Nevertheless, I have borne him a son in his old age!”
8 The child grew and was weaned, and Avraham gave a great banquet on the day that Yitz’chak was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom Hagar had borne to Avraham, making fun of Yitz’chak; 10 so Sarah said to Avraham, “Throw this slave-girl out! And her son! I will not have this slave-girl’s son as your heir along with my son Yitz’chak!”
***Although Sarah was excited to have a baby, a fair amount of disappointment and anger had to be present when she would look at Hagar and Ishmael. They were a constant reminder of failure and doubt. Scripture tells us that Ishmael was “mocking,” and mama bear Sarah was going to have none of that! So, her resentment grew.
Carrying around bitterness for decades hurts no one but ourselves. I wonder what Sarah’s countenance was in this situation. Earlier in Genesis, it says Sarai was beautiful, but was she still beautiful with this ugly attitude?
There is nothing godly about the way Sarah demanded Abraham get rid of Hagar and Ishmael, but bitterness and anger robbed Sarah of her joy in a happy situation. Isaac was growing and maturing. The child she was never supposed to have was alive and well, but she was too bitter to care.
In Ephesians 4:31, Paul urges the believers, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” This command is not for harmony in relationships, but also health of our bodies ... and souls. Do not let bitterness ruin the joy God has in store for you.
Hymn for Today: "Joy Unspeakably" by Barney Elliott Warren.
1. I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth every need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
2. I have found the pleasure I once craved,
It is joy and peace within;
What a wondrous blessing, I am saved
From the awful gulf of sin.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
3. I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
4. I have found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll;
It is like a great o’erflowing well,
Springing up within my soul.
Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
Thought for Today: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,(Galatians 5:22).
Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Hong Kong.
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