January 23rd, 2024
This week, I’ve been dwelling on the story of Sarah and the power of faith. Most of us will be familiar with this mother of the faith, who bore Isaac to Abraham in her (very) old age. When Abraham was eighty-six years old and had no heir, God promised that his offspring would be more numerous than the sand. Many years later, he still had no heir by Sarah. During that time, he did have a son, but Ishmael was born to him, not by his wife, but by her servant, Hagar. Ishmael was actually the result of Sarah’s unbelief. God promised that an heir would be born, but she didn’t believe that promise could include her, because she was old and barren. Genesis 16:2 says,
‘Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.”’
Fourteen long years later, God came and confirmed His promise to Abraham and Sarah. Genesis 18:9-15 says,
‘They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid.’
We often talk about Abraham’s faith. He believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3)! However, we usually think about Sarah laughing at the promise of God. She did scoff at the audacity of having a child in her old age. Then she lied about laughing, because she was afraid her unbelief would be exposed. However, that wasn’t the end of her story. God kept His word and Isaac, the son of promise, was born the next year!
After Isaac was born, Genesis 21:6-7 says,
And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me. And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.””
Now, the book of Genesis doesn’t tell us the progression of Sarah’s faith, but the Holy Spirit gave us insight into her heart in Hebrews 11:11, which says,
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.”
Sarah initially scoffed at the promise, but God responded, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” At some point in the next few months, that truth got into Sarah’s heart and her faith grew! She considered that even though her natural eyes saw an old woman, God saw a carrier of promise. She decided to believe that He was faithful despite her circumstances, and it was by that faith the Bible says she received the power to conceive Isaac.
Our faith gives us the power to receive all His promises! God has good things for us, but those things must be received by faith. However, just because we have to receive by faith does not mean that it depends on us. Faith comes by the anointed Word of God and He fulfills His promises. As we focus our hearts on Him and the truth of His word, our faith will grow naturally.
Do you consider your circumstances, or do you consider Him faithful? What we receive is not determined by what we desire; it’s determined by what we believe! How many years do you think Sarah desired to have a son? In that day, barrenness would have been a shameful weight to carry, and she carried it for decades! However, it wasn’t her desire for a son that produced Isaac. It was God’s promise, coupled with her faith! God has good things for His children (Luke 11:13). Healing, provision, peace, protection, and victory have all been provided by the power of the blood of Jesus! He who promised is still faithful. The One who kept His word to Sarah and Abraham will keep His Word to you! This week, I encourage you to receive all of His promises, by faith!
‘Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.”’
Fourteen long years later, God came and confirmed His promise to Abraham and Sarah. Genesis 18:9-15 says,
‘They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid.’
We often talk about Abraham’s faith. He believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3)! However, we usually think about Sarah laughing at the promise of God. She did scoff at the audacity of having a child in her old age. Then she lied about laughing, because she was afraid her unbelief would be exposed. However, that wasn’t the end of her story. God kept His word and Isaac, the son of promise, was born the next year!
After Isaac was born, Genesis 21:6-7 says,
And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me. And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.””
Now, the book of Genesis doesn’t tell us the progression of Sarah’s faith, but the Holy Spirit gave us insight into her heart in Hebrews 11:11, which says,
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.”
Sarah initially scoffed at the promise, but God responded, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” At some point in the next few months, that truth got into Sarah’s heart and her faith grew! She considered that even though her natural eyes saw an old woman, God saw a carrier of promise. She decided to believe that He was faithful despite her circumstances, and it was by that faith the Bible says she received the power to conceive Isaac.
Our faith gives us the power to receive all His promises! God has good things for us, but those things must be received by faith. However, just because we have to receive by faith does not mean that it depends on us. Faith comes by the anointed Word of God and He fulfills His promises. As we focus our hearts on Him and the truth of His word, our faith will grow naturally.
Do you consider your circumstances, or do you consider Him faithful? What we receive is not determined by what we desire; it’s determined by what we believe! How many years do you think Sarah desired to have a son? In that day, barrenness would have been a shameful weight to carry, and she carried it for decades! However, it wasn’t her desire for a son that produced Isaac. It was God’s promise, coupled with her faith! God has good things for His children (Luke 11:13). Healing, provision, peace, protection, and victory have all been provided by the power of the blood of Jesus! He who promised is still faithful. The One who kept His word to Sarah and Abraham will keep His Word to you! This week, I encourage you to receive all of His promises, by faith!
No Comments