When our kids were little, one of their games was to hide behind the curtain. We of course would say in a loud voice, “I wonder where … is? Have you seen him/her?” And then go on to say something that would elicit a giggle from the secret location. Oh the joys of littluns!
Just reading through the passage Genesis 18 v 9 – 15, made me remember those happy family incidents.
The Lord really had no need to ask where Sarah was – he knew exactly where she was, and even what she was thinking. What he did want was her attention, and no doubt in her hidden location, hearing the mention of her name, her ears would have pricked up. She was listening!
Something else the Lord wanted from both Abraham and Sarah, was faith – trusting him to do what he had promised. By repeating Sarah’s thoughts, he demonstrated that indeed nothing was too hard for him. But this time it is awe that the Lord elicits from Sarah. Suddenly the whole thing takes on a very serious tone, and her laughter turns to fear.
Then Sarah did the most stupid thing ever – lie to God! The Lord admonishes her, “Yes, you did laugh,” which must have made her face up to the challenge of believing in him. But at least at this point, she must have emerged from the tent, to speak to him directly.
And I think that about sums up what God wants from us – to come out from whatever ‘curtain’ it is that we are hiding behind such as –
- I’ve not got the time
- I’m just not that sort of person
- God’s not really interested in me
- I’m not good enough
- I don’t want to get that involved
God loves to speak to us face to face, intimately, deeply, individually, perceptively. That can be very scary; but then maybe we will begin to get a glimpse of how much he loves us, and the wonderful things he has in store for us. God only had good things in store for Sarah – the very best in fact – and he loves us no less!
