A Visit from God — The Promise of a Son (Genesis 18:1–15)
Imagine sitting outside your home on a hot afternoon when three unexpected visitors show up.
That’s exactly what happened to Abraham in Genesis 18.
This surprise visit brought not only a meal but a powerful reminder that nothing is too hard for God.
Let’s take a closer look at this amazing moment.
Abraham’s Visitors
Abraham was resting near his tent when he looked up and saw three men standing nearby.
Even though he didn’t know exactly who they were, Abraham quickly jumped up to greet them.
He welcomed them warmly, offered them water to wash their feet, and invited them to rest under a tree while he prepared a meal.
Abraham showed kindness and hospitality, treating the strangers like honored guests.
What Abraham didn’t realize at first was that one of these visitors was the Lord Himself, and the other two were angels!
A Special Meal and a Special Message
Abraham hurried to have a meal prepared — fresh bread, tender meat, and cool milk.
As the visitors ate, they shared an incredible message with Abraham:
“This time next year, your wife Sarah will have a son.”
This wasn’t the first time God had promised Abraham a child, but now the promise came with a clear timeline.
Even though Abraham and Sarah were both very old, God’s promise was firm: they would have a child of their own.
Sarah’s Laughter and God’s Response
Sarah was inside the tent, listening quietly.
When she heard the visitor say she would have a son, she laughed to herself.
It seemed impossible — she was far too old, and so was Abraham!
But God heard Sarah’s laughter.
He asked, “Why did Sarah laugh?“, and then spoke words that still encourage us today:
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
Sarah got scared and denied laughing, but God knew her heart.
Still, even with her doubt, God stayed true to His word.
And just as He promised, Sarah would soon hold her miracle baby in her arms.
Conclusion
This story reminds us that God’s promises never fail, even when they seem impossible.
Abraham and Sarah were old, Sarah laughed in doubt, but God’s plan still came true.
In our own lives, it’s easy to doubt when we don’t see how things could work out.
But the truth remains:
Nothing is too hard for God.
Whenever you feel like your dreams are too big, or your problems too heavy, remember the story of Abraham, Sarah, and the visitors under the tree.
God is always working — even when we can’t see how.
Genesis 18:1-15 (WEB)
18:1 The LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth, 3 and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant. 4 Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 I will get a piece of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant.”They said, “Very well, do as you have said.”6 Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it. 8 He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate.9 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?”He said, “There, in the tent.”10 He said, “I will certainly return to you at about this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.”Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old will I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”13 The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes around, and Sarah will have a son.”15 Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh,” for she was afraid.He said, “No, but you did laugh.”