Found Faithful

By Gretchen Scruby

“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.”—Hebrews 11:11 (NIV)

Sarah was ninety-years-old and still barren. Yet the Lord said she would be the mother of  nations (Genesis 17:16), and Sarah believed God was faithful. So even though it seemed physically impossible, she finally conceived a son. 

I can relate to Sarah's longing for a child. I remember one Mother's Day I felt utterly alone in a house filled with family. I had suffered a miscarriage the previous year and was the only woman present who wasn't a mom. I asked the Lord to help me get through that day, and He was faithful to carry me through. 

I found my way to the kitchen and kept busy single-handedly cooking breakfast. I remember trying to keep it together and I did quite well. Later, we all went to church together. During the service, the abundance of emotions I'd been trying to control gushed out. My husband held my hand. We both had endured several years of doctor visits and negative pregnancy tests, so he knew I just needed space to grieve. Sometimes the Lord provides a way for us to serve amid our trials, and other times He provides opportunities for us to pause and grieve. 

Shortly after, God did answer my prayers. And by the next Mother's Day, I was holding my one-month-old son in my arms. During the four years of trying to conceive, I had to continually surrender to God's timing. There are other areas in my life where I’m still surrendering and waiting for my prayers to be answered. 

We can be tempted to help God out when we think He’s forgotten us. This is what happened to Sarah as she came up with a plan to help God out: having her husband sleep with her slave so she’d give them a child (Genesis 16). However, this didn't relieve her pain. Instead, it caused exceeding grief and jealousy to rise up in her. Taking matters into our own hands will not lead to the desired outcome. We must continue to trust the Lord. When we do, He comforts us and deepens our faith. 

Maybe you can't relate to being barren, but there’s probably a desolate area you're waiting for God to fill. Maybe you even tried to help God out with your own plans. I know I have. But even through my mistakes, He has proven Himself faithful in all areas of my life. 

Sarah wasn't perfect; nonetheless, she's listed in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11). This should give us hope that even though Sarah stumbled in her walk with the Lord, she was found faithful. Maybe you've faltered on your journey too. I hope you know God's grace is sufficient for you.

Pause: Take a moment to think about a barren area in your life and how you can surrender it to the Lord. 

Practice: Write down how you can obey God during this time. Is there a way He’s calling you to serve Him in this season? This can be physically serving others while sharing your story of God’s faithfulness in the midst of your suffering. 

Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for showing me the barren areas in my life. Please help me to see Your faithfulness in the midst. Please reveal any areas where I’m trying to take matters into my own hands to help You out. Amen.