"Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive
seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged
him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as
good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand
which is by the sea shore innumerable." —Hebrews 11:11-12
The Holy Spirit emphasizes the fact that Sarah received strength to
conceive and bear a son “when she was past age.” He hereby heightens the sense of the miraculous and the
supernatural because he would have us understand that no difficulty, no
obstacle, no hindrance, should cause us to not believe our God.
The omnipotent God is not limited by
nature. He rules nature and alters it as he sees fit! He who brought water out
of the Rock, poured Bread down from heaven, and caused an axe to swim has no
difficulty with anything. The greater
the apparent difficulties are the greater reason we have to believe God.
When all the streams of nature
are dry, then we should most reasonably expect the waters of God’s grace and
goodness to pour out in a flood of mercy! Whatever the difficulties are before
us, whatever the obstacles may be that are in
our way, let us “be strong in faith”
being fully persuaded that “what he has
promised he is able to perform.”
Sarah believed God “because she
judged him faithful who had promised.” Faith
looks to God, not to self. Faith looks to God, not to circumstances. “If we would trust God we must crucify the
question, ‘How?’” – (Martin Luther)
Let it never be forgotten that Sarah had the Word of God
for what she believed. It was not a whim, a figment of her imagination, or
simply something she desired which gave her faith. God made a promise, and she
believed the Word God gave.
Let us take heed that it is God’s Word and
God’s testimony that we believe. Let us take heed that we really believe God’s
Revelation. Let us take care that we cherish no hope but that which the Word of
God promise. If we have the Word of God for the foundation of our faith, then
it is impossible for our faith to be too confident or our hope to be too firm.
– “Because he is faithful that promised!”
He
who is our God is
a God of promised goodness.
His promises of goodness to his
people extend to all things temporal, spiritual and eternal. His promises are
free, unconditional and sure. God who is faithful, all-wise, immutable,
omnipotent and true cannot fail (Lam. 3:22-26)
"Therefore
sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the
sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable."
Because Sarah believed God, God’s
promise to Abraham was fulfilled.
Sarah’s faith was as essential to the fulfillment
of the promise as Abraham’s. Yes, it is God who fulfills the promise. Yes, it
is God who gives us faith. But, still, faith, personal faith exercised toward
God is essential to receiving the blessing he has promised. – “Thy faith hath saved thee!”
Because she believed God, Sarah
became the mother of a great nation – The Church of God. You and I, like Isaac,
are the children of our mother in faith, Sarah!
Because Sarah believed God, the Lord Jesus
Christ came into this world in the fulness of time to redeem us.
Commenting on verse 12, A. W. Pink
wrote—“The opening ‘Therefore’ of verse 12 points the blessed
consequence of her relying upon the faithfulness of God in the face of the
utmost natural discouragements. From her faith there issued Isaac, and from
him, ultimately, Christ Himself. And this is recorded for our instruction. Who
can estimate the fruits of faith? Who can tell how many lives may be affected
for good, even in generations yet to come, through your faith and my faith
today! Oh how the thought of this should stir us up to cry more earnestly
‘Lord, increase our faith’ to the praise of the glory of Thy grace.”
Oh, gift of gifts! Oh grace of
faith!
My God, how can it be
That You, in free and sov’reign
love,
Should give that gift to me?
Sweet grace! -- Into the vilest
heart,
It is God’s boast to come,
The glory of His grace to set,
In darkest souls His throne!
Your choice, Father, (Great God of
grace!),
I lovingly adore.
Thank You for this great gift of
faith,
And grace to long for more!