Unwrapping the New Year

Nothing is too Hard

I was reading through the story of the miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah. A miracle that happened 25 years after it was promised. My mind then went on overdrive to imagine how the couple went about writing their new year resolutions for those 25 years. I imagined that after 10 years Sarah became tired of writing, "To give birth in 9 months" as her new year's resolution. May be that is the reason why she asked her husband to consider having a child with the maid as an alternative.

Of course the maid got a child and God went silent for 13 years. The next time God spoke to them was after both had lost the biological ability to concieve a child. What is noteworthy is what God told Abraham in Sarah's hearing. In Genesis 18:10 He told him, "About this time next year your wife Sarah will have a son." At that point I wondered whether it would be easy or automatic for the couple to believe God's Word.

You see, to the natural eye God had failed year after year for the last 24 years. There was no guarantee that He would come through this time around. The couple were faced with the challenge of trusting a God who had been 'defeated'.

God realising their weakness of faith, He gives them this guarantee found in Genesis 18:14,
"Is there anything too hard for the LORD?"
He said this more as a statement of fact than a question to someone who doubted in His ability to fulfill His promise. This is the guarantee that God is giving us for 2010. Those who feel that they have waited for many years to see God fulfill His Word should rest assured that God is able and that nothiong is too hard for Him.

Good Fortune

A "21" Reflection

What an ending to a season of praying and fasting!
Our 21 days of seeking the Lord's face in prayer and fasting came to an last Thursday. We have had opportunities to hear people's testimonies and it is amazing the things that God has done in the life of Downtownians. The greatest of them all for me was the birth of Hawi Utugi Osendo last Friday just before 7am. For me it was like God telling us that we have received that which we travailed for in the spirit.

Baby Hawi is the first child of Mr & Mrs Conrad Osendo who were part of the strategic team that planted Mavuno Downtown. The name Hawi couldn't have been more prophetic. Hawi is a name from the Luo tribe and it means Good Fortune. Indeed God has heard us. Many times the scripture have used the symbol of a travailing woman to illustrate fervency in prayer. And as sure as a woman must deliver after her labor, our breakthrough is sure.

God, through the mouth of prophet Isaiah asks in Isaiah 66:9,
"Do I bring to the moment of birth
and not give delivery?" says the LORD.
"Do I close up the womb
when I bring to delivery?" says your God.
We can only thank Him because our breakthrough and Good Fortune have come after 21 days of laboring. Praise God!