What God births in you may seem greater than you know

1 Samuel 1 we read of Hannah’s desire for a child. “8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”9 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 11 Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”

You see, Hannah wanted a child, but God wanted a prophet to lead His people! God of course answered her cry. The child’s name was Samuel, who would become the last judge and one of the greatest prophets who counselled King Saul and who anointed David as king. What God had planned for Hannah was far greater than she could comprehend or even understand! Yes, she was content with a child, yet God’s plan and purpose were of far-reaching importance, extending to David and even Jesus! She would surely not have known that God had birthed within her a mighty instrument in God’s hands, but God knows for God is always in control.

We read in Genesis 18 of the promise of a child to Abraham and Sarah: 10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” 13 And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

You see, Abraham and Sarah were quite shocked at the idea of having a child at their ripe age, but God had something far greater planned! Sarah would give birth to Isaac, the father of Jacob who would later be called Israel (Genesis 32:28). He would father the sons that would lead to the formation of the 12 tribes, commonly known as Israel. And this nation would become God’s chosen people through which He put His master plan of redemption and salvation into motion. Oh yes, what God had birthed in Sarah was not just a child, it was a chosen nation destined to give birth to Jesus!

You will find in Genesis 18 this plan and purpose were so glorious by all accounts God Himself visited Abraham. You will find in this passage that Abraham was visited by three men one day; the men turned out to be unusual guests, to say the least, and the visit was life-changing for Abraham and Sarah. Genesis 18:1–2 says, “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” Abraham showed immediate hospitality to the three men, inviting them to rest under a tree and preparing a big meal for them (verses 3–8).

During their visit with Abraham, the three men warned him that God’s judgment was about to fall upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20–21; 19:12–13). They also promised that Abraham’s wife, Sarah, would have a baby by the same time next year (Genesis 18:10). Some have suggested that all three of these “men” were angelic beings who appeared to Abraham in the form of men. However, Genesis 18:1 says that it was “the LORD” (Yahweh) who appeared to Abraham. It is the LORD who speaks in verses 13, 20, 26, and 33. Abraham stands “before the LORD” in verse 22. So, one of the three “men” must have been God Almighty taking on the appearance of a man. We call such an appearance a “theophany.” And if we study Scriptures, this was most likely Jesus Himself. We of course read of two angels who later visited Sodom and spoke to Lot (Genesis 19:1).

Abraham’s response to the appearance of the three men also suggests that he instinctively knew that he was in the presence of God. Abraham was well acquainted with the Lord and would have instantly recognized Him because the Lord had spoken and/or appeared to him many times before. Those appearances include the following occasions: when God first called him (Genesis 12:1–3); when Abraham parted ways with Lot (Genesis 13:14–17); when God made a covenant with him (Genesis 15); when God restated His covenant (Genesis 17). The reality is, God had birthed His nation by the Word He had personally spoken into the life of Abraham! Glory to God.

In Luke 1 we read the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth. “11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth, 15 for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God. 17 It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.” 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.” 19 The angel replied and said to him, “I am Gabriel; I stand and minister in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent [by Him] to speak to you and to bring you this good news. “

Yes, what was to be birthed in Elizabeth, thus part of Zacharias’ calling, was John the Baptist, who would one day bring the message of the ‘kingdom is near’ and who baptised many, including Jesus! Yes, talk about no ordinary child! They were shocked at the news of a child, but God was birthing a man of who it is said in “John 1: 6 There came a man commissioned and sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe [in Christ, the Light] through him. 8 John was not the Light, but came to testify about the Light.”

And then of course we know the incredible story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. That was of course also an immaculate conception. To Mary, it was said in “Luke 1: 32 He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” Glory to God. What God had birthed was the fulfilment of what He birthed through Sarah!

At the end of the day, whatever God births in you as a vision, as a calling, as a mandate or as a dream or hope, know that God always thinks bigger and broader. God always considers the much larger picture of the Kingdom, which all ties it to His glorious plan of redemption and salvation. What God births can be much bigger in scope, purpose and nature than one can even fathom or imagine. And yes, at times we may not always understand, so we must, therefore, be still and know He is God. We must trust Him, have faith, trust the process, trust the preparation and allow God’s birthing to come into full fruition to God’s Glory.