Where Are You?
“11) By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews 11:11
Faith is important. This verse states that Sarah was a woman of faith. But the story sounded very different in Genesis chapters 17 and 18.
In Genesis 17:15-19, Abraham fell on his face and laughed at the notion of Sarah having a son. He looked at Ishmael as his faith solution. He believed in God’s promise, but had a different way for it to be fulfilled.
Then in Genesis 18:9, the angel of the Lord asked; where is Sarah your wife? I don’t think He was asking about here physical location. I believe he was asking about her faith!
He had asked the same question to Adam years earlier after the fall. (See Genesis 3:9) Back to our story.
She had heard the promise of a son for Abraham so many times, but could no longer consider herself in the formula. After all, the whole Hagar and Ishmael ordeal was her idea. She was also now way beyond the child bearing years.
As the angel of the Lord gave His prophecy about Sarah having a son within the year, she was listening through the tent wall.
The text says; “Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my Lord being old also?” (Genesis 18:12) She had lost faith and all hope of ever having a child. Where was she? She had become an agnostic related to the promise and power of God.
The next three verses are amazing. Verse 14 says; “Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
Her laughter expressed the emptiness of her heart and her view of God. She was doubting both the word and the miraculous power of God! After all, the initial promise had been made decades ago.
Though Sarah denied laughing, a question was planted in her heart; “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!
Over the next few months her faith exploded. She went from doubting to believing that God could do anything! As Hebrews 11:11 says; “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.”
Where was she? She radically changed her faith address! In a few months she moved from the tent of doubt and unbelief to the household of faith believing in the faithfulness and power of God!
So let me ask you a question; “Where are you?” Are you a Christian agnostic or do you believe in the faithfulness and power of God? Life will unfold for you according to your faith. Do you need to change your faith address?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“11) By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews 11:11
Faith is important. This verse states that Sarah was a woman of faith. But the story sounded very different in Genesis chapters 17 and 18.
In Genesis 17:15-19, Abraham fell on his face and laughed at the notion of Sarah having a son. He looked at Ishmael as his faith solution. He believed in God’s promise, but had a different way for it to be fulfilled.
Then in Genesis 18:9, the angel of the Lord asked; where is Sarah your wife? I don’t think He was asking about here physical location. I believe he was asking about her faith!
He had asked the same question to Adam years earlier after the fall. (See Genesis 3:9) Back to our story.
She had heard the promise of a son for Abraham so many times, but could no longer consider herself in the formula. After all, the whole Hagar and Ishmael ordeal was her idea. She was also now way beyond the child bearing years.
As the angel of the Lord gave His prophecy about Sarah having a son within the year, she was listening through the tent wall.
The text says; “Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my Lord being old also?” (Genesis 18:12) She had lost faith and all hope of ever having a child. Where was she? She had become an agnostic related to the promise and power of God.
The next three verses are amazing. Verse 14 says; “Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
Her laughter expressed the emptiness of her heart and her view of God. She was doubting both the word and the miraculous power of God! After all, the initial promise had been made decades ago.
Though Sarah denied laughing, a question was planted in her heart; “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!
Over the next few months her faith exploded. She went from doubting to believing that God could do anything! As Hebrews 11:11 says; “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.”
Where was she? She radically changed her faith address! In a few months she moved from the tent of doubt and unbelief to the household of faith believing in the faithfulness and power of God!
So let me ask you a question; “Where are you?” Are you a Christian agnostic or do you believe in the faithfulness and power of God? Life will unfold for you according to your faith. Do you need to change your faith address?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
