I write about Stuff

March 15th, 2026

“The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre.” Genesis 18:1

Abraham’s story is one of long waiting, deep promise, and repeated reassurance. God had spoken extraordinary words over his life — descendants as numerous as the stars, a land to call their own, and a blessing that would ripple out to every nation on earth. But God did not attach a timeline to His promise. And waiting without a timeline can stretch even the strongest faith.

🌾 A Promise Without a Clock

Abraham and Sarah had been told they would have a son. They believed God — mostly. But as the years passed and their bodies aged, the promise felt increasingly impossible. Hope can be hard to hold when the evidence seems to point in the opposite direction.

Yet God kept appearing.

• In Genesis 12, He called Abram to leave everything familiar and travel to Canaan.
• In Genesis 12 again, He appeared to confirm the promise of land.
• In Genesis 17, He appeared to establish a covenant and rename Abram “Abraham,” the father of many nations.

Each appearance was a reminder: I have not forgotten you.

🏕️ A Visitor at Mamre

Then came the moment at Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the hottest part of the day when he saw three men approaching. Somehow — Scripture doesn’t say how — Abraham recognised one of them as the Lord.

This was the third time the Lord appeared to him. And each time, it was the same Person: the pre‑incarnate Christ. It could not have been God the Father, for Scripture says no one has seen Him. Jesus Himself hinted at this encounter when He told the Pharisees, “Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

Abraham recognised Him. The Pharisees did not.

👣 A Promise Repeated, A Laugh Unleashed

As Abraham hurried to offer hospitality, the Lord repeated the promise: Sarah would bear a son. Sarah, listening from inside the tent, laughed — not out of joy, but disbelief. She was nearly ninety. Abraham was nearly one hundred. The promise felt absurd.

But Jesus responded with a question that still echoes through every season of waiting:

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14

Within a year, Isaac — whose name means laughter — was born. Sarah’s cynical laugh became a joyful one.

🛤️ Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

It is striking that Jesus came to Abraham as a traveller. Abraham was a sojourner, living in tents, moving from place to place, trusting God for a future he could not yet see. Jesus met him in the shape of his own story.

He still does this today.

• To the weary, He comes as rest.
• To the confused, He comes as wisdom.
• To the fearful, He comes as peace.
• To the waiting, He comes as reassurance.

Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus meets us in ways that resonate with our circumstances, our personalities, and our deepest needs. He knows how to steady our hearts while we wait for promises that seem slow in coming.

Reflection

How might the Lord reassure you or give you the perspective you need to trust His promises and His timing? Where might He be meeting you — quietly, unexpectedly — in the middle of your waiting?

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You come close to Your people, just as You came to Abraham beneath the oaks of Mamre. When Your promises feel slow, steady my heart. When doubt whispers, remind me that nothing is too hard for You. Help me recognise the ways You meet me in my own story, and teach me to trust Your timing, Your wisdom, and Your unfailing love. Amen.