Redeeming the Past: Hear It, Use It

Monday August 22, 2011

What do you remember about Sarah?

Most of us recall that Sarah, Abraham’s wife, bore her son Isaac late in life, long after she thought possible. Sometimes she’s revered as an example mom who didn’t give up, one whom God rewarded.

If you look closely at Scripture, though, you’ll see that Sarah’s life is a journey of redemption. She’s an example of another sort, I think—one who chose her own way but was graced by God as He redeemed her past.

God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation (Gen. 2:2), but no child came to him and Sarah.

So Sarah took matters into her own hands (Gen. 16:1-2).
Next, she blamed someone else for her problems (Gen. 16:5).
Then she drove her servant (the mother of Abraham’s son) away with her mistreatment.

What did God do?
He still promised that she would bear the covenant carrier, Isaac
(Gen. 17:21).

And Sarah?
She laughed (Gen. 18:12).
Then, afraid, she lied about it (Gen. 18:15).

How did God respond?
He was gracious, He did as He promised, and a son was born
(Gen. 21:1,2).

This story really isn’t about Sarah, is it?

Just as life isn’t always about us…it’s about what God does through us.

God graced Sarah, bringing her full circle, from her laugh of unbelief to a life of joy.
With the birth of Isaac, Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Gen. 21:6). Her joy, despite years of past pain, was infectious; it apparently brought joy to others as they saw His workings in her life.

Get past the past. Let Him redeem the past.
Because it’s not about us; it’s about what He does through us.


Linking up today with Michelle at Graceful for Hear It on Sunday, Use it on Monday.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

"Just as life isn’t always about us…it’s about what God does through us."

Yes! I love to hear people's testimonies because they are beautiful stories of what God was doing then, what He's doing now, and what He will continue to do in and through their lives. So thankful that God redeems the past!

Unknown said...

Love it! Yes, Sarah does give me hope that God is always working through our mistakes and failures and even bad attitudes!

Unknown said...

i mean, i have read it several times. i knew the story, but in that outline form....wow. what a story of redemption. this is an awesome post.

Unknown said...

"Get past the past."

I think I'm hearing some lies in my head that are rooted in the past and this post has brought that awareness to the forefront of my mind so that now, perhaps, I will be able to correct them with truth.

amanda said...

I saw it in a different way reading it the way you wrote. And "get past the past" - powerful words!

alicia said...

It's not about me. It's not about me. It's not about me. REALLY want this one to stick with me! ;)

Monkey said...

Proverbial Homemaker said...
"Just as life isn’t always about us…it’s about what God does through us."
Its not about me, its all about Him!!

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