The Hall of Faith | Sarah’s Faith in God’s Life – Hebrews 11:11-12
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
One of the major promises of God to Abraham came in the form of Abraham being the Father of many nations. Yet, by the time of this promise in Genesis 12 and further reiterated in Genesis 18, there was one significant problem. Sarah and Abraham had aged and were past the time where they could bear children. The promise of God, however, remained clear. Abraham would become the Father of many nations and his offspring would outnumber the stars. Faith for Abraham and Sarah meant trusting in the promises of God even though the evidence and circumstances would dictate something else. Abraham and Sarah needed to have faith in God to provide beyond what they knew to be possible.
“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. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” (Genesis 18:10-15, ESV)
Sarah womb had become barren in her old age, being well past the age of being able to conceive children. Yet, Abraham never broke stride, having experienced the promises of God. Sarah, on the other hand, needed faith through the process. Faith in God would involve a miracle to provide beyond what Sarah could provide. God provides life beyond anything we could produce on our own, because He alone is faithful to his promises. Furthermore, Sarah’s inability to produce life serves as a descriptor of our own ability to produce life. No matter how hard we may try, we cannot produce life and provide for God’s promises. Only God provides beyond our expectations by not just providing with heirs and offspring, but a life pulled out of sin that will continue for all eternity. This is the essence of faith in things unseen.
Nothing Too Hard For God
As Sarah first became aware of the coming promise of children, she laughed. He first instinct sought to perceive the situation through her own lens of understanding. She knew her situation and, after years of not conceiving a child, had lost hope that she would one day produce heirs and offspring. But God had other plans. Where Sarah laughed at the concept waiting a lifetime for a child to no avail, God’s glory and ability to keep His promises would shine brightest. Hebrews admonished Sarah for believing in a God capable of fulfilling His promises. Furthermore, in Genesis 18, God responds to Sarah laughter with a rebuke that the task Sarah feels is too difficult can easily be accomplished by an all powerful God. Miracles, things beyond our natural ability to produce, are simple tasks for a God who is omnipotent, able to do all things.
Faith in God builds on foundation on the person of God. When we understand the true nature of God, it acts as a catalyst for our faith. Nothing that God promises is beyond His ability to produce. Too often the events and circumstances of the world chip away at the faith we hold. We cling to the excuses that either miracles don’t happen anymore, God doesn’t hear us, or that this is simply “how the world is.” Faith calls the believer to hold fast to the person of God as we pray boldly, in faith, for the things that bring glory of God. Our God has no limitation and can do all things. As a sovereign King, He rules over all creation with no corner of existence outside of His divine reign. As an omnipotent God, He is able to do all things, at all times, in all places, knowing all things. The Christian, like Sarah, is exhorted to hold to the promises of God knowing who issued them in the first place. We have faith and trust in God’s ability to care for His people and rescue us from the grasps of death so that we might be with Him forever.
Faith in Life Out of Sin
Sarah stood on the promises given to Abraham and bore children despite her inability. She had heard the stories of God appearing to Abraham and faithfully walked with her husband throughout. Now, after being chastised for her lack of faith through her laughter, she saw the effects of a Holy and Sovereign God who provides all things He decrees. Out of the barrenness of her womb, God produced life. Furthermore, this child would represent the future of the people of God, being the source of life for generations to come. For this older couple, the idea of Abraham being the Father of many nations seemed laughable, almost cruel. But God, out of an abundance of ability could produce life out of death. Abraham and Sarah, having been promised an impossible child, stood in faith that God would bring life out of death for generations to come.
All too often people try and reduce the promises and blessings of God to monetary payment or merely giving what we want in the wretched corners of our heart. Others have sought power rather than presence, looking to increase our own influence in the world rather than the Gospel that Jesus saves. In actuality, we see the Gospel at work in the life of Sarah. First, it serves as a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ. The flesh of mankind found itself unable (and unwilling) to produce righteousness through our own actions. Jesus Christ came as God incarnate, taking on flesh and coming from the womb of mankind to bring salvation to people. He would establish the people of God as heirs of the promise of God and coheirs with Christ. Furthermore, God seeks to bring life, not monetary blessing or the desires of our heart. Through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, God brings life to people in absolute abundance. Our response to the coming of Jesus Christ and His promised return remains to stand in faith that He will bring life to His people and we have the assurance of faith that we will be with Him, forever.
About The Author
Daniel Burton is the founder of The Gospel Outpost. He is passionate about discipleship and seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. To find out more about him, check out his Author Page.
