All In: Faith UnfurledSample

The heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 are not just men. We find an amazing woman of faith in Sara. Hebrews 11:11 states, “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.”

God had promised Sara that she would have a son within a year’s time. If you are familiar with the story, you know that Sara laughed. She and Abraham were well beyond the age of bearing children, and it would take a miracle for her to have a son. In fact, Hebrews 11:12 says that Abraham was considered as good as dead.

But a miracle did take place: Isaac, the son of promise, was born when God said he would be born. And though Sara initially laughed at the thought of bearing a son at her age, we are told here in Hebrews chapter eleven that her faith was so strong that she judged God to be faithful to keep His promises.

From Abraham came Isaac, then from Isaac came Jacob, and as God promised, their descendant’s number even today as the sands of the sea. Abraham and Sara “…died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

Abraham and Sara did not live to see God’s promises fulfilled on this earth, but they did not need to see it. They had faith that God was faithful and would do what He said.

When we look at the lives of people like Abraham and Sara, it is easy to get intimidated and feel like we cannot measure up to them. Certainly, they were people of great faith. But, like any other human being, they had moments where their faith was weak and lapsed, and God records those moments for our learning.

Christian, take heart. God does not expect you to live a perfect life. He only asks that you walk with Him and have faith that is all-in.