The Appointed Time

God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son, but nothing happened. They waited for years, until Sarah was physically unable to bear children and Abraham was closing in on 100 years of age. They remained childless.

Then a miracle happened. The Bible says that God visited Sarah, that is, God enabled her to have a baby with Abraham. More than that, the Bible tells us that God blessed the couple with a son at the very time he had promised (Genesis 21:2).

Some people might think that God was a bit late in blessing Abraham and Sarah, but Scripture assures us that he acted at the appointed time. The boy was named Isaac, which means “he laughs.” Sarah was laughing. She was filled with joy.

Some two thousand years after Isaac was born, God promised a miracle baby to one of Isaac’s descendants. She was a young lady named Mary. She was soon to be married to a man named Joseph.

God promised Mary that she would have a boy before she was married to Joseph, before she and Joseph came together, and without knowing any other man. She was understandably confused.

Sure enough, God’s Spirit visited young Mary and she was carrying a baby. Joseph was stunned. He drew the logical conclusion that Mary had been unfaithful to him. But the Lord spoke to him personally and cleared Mary of any wrongdoing.

Some people might think that God was a bit early in the case of Joseph and Mary. Was he not putting Mary in an awkward position? What would people say? But Scripture assures us that God acted at the appointed time. When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem us (Galatians 4:4-5).

God’s great work of salvation started thousands of years ago when he chose a man named Abraham and promised him a son. It seemed impossible, but God does the impossible.

Centuries later a prophet named Isaiah wrote that a virgin would be with child and give birth to a son, calling him Immanuel. It seemed impossible, but it happened. And all who heard it were amazed.

Laugh with Sarah, rejoice with Isaiah, and treasure up all these things in your heart with Mary. Our Savior has come!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to all,

Brother Richard Foster