Bible Reading Blog
“She Considered Him Faithful”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Hebrews 11.11
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised."
What do you expect to see from someone in the chapter of faith? Extraordinary demonstrations of faith? Uncommon obedience? Remarkable poise in difficult circumstances? None of these are given as defining features in the life of Sarah. In fact, Sarah appears to be quite the opposite. She was harsh and ruthless to her servant Hagar (Genesis 16.4-6; 21.9-10). She was bold and pointed with Abraham (Genesis 21.10). When God told Abraham she would have a child, Sarah laughed (Genesis 18.12). Then she lied about laughing because she was afraid (Genesis 18.15). After she bore Isaac, she still had a hard time believing it had happened (Genesis 21.6-7).
If I were picking out people of faith to highlight, she’s not at the top of my list. And yet, here she is right after Abraham. Why? “She considered him faithful who had promised.” The writer of Hebrews connects her faith with that of Abraham who also “considered that God was able” to maintain his promises despite seemingly impossible circumstances (Hebrews 11.19; Romans 4.20). The word “considered” literally translated means this was the dominant thought in their minds. In other words, even in the presence of doubt, Sarah’s prevailing belief was that God would do what he said he would do. After all, God had come to them. His offer was too good not to pay attention. They were hopeless and God was giving them hope with a promise.
Her conviction about God’s nature and promises is the emphasis of her and Abraham’s story (see Hebrews 11.9, 11, 17). This obviously led to actions of faith. She went with Abraham every time God directed him. She even gave him Hagar to produce a child because she believed God’s plans for Abraham. Based on her response in that circumstance, we might assume she didn’t want to… but she was acting in a way consistent with her belief about God.
Sarah’s faith motivated her; but notice the focus of Hebrews 11.11 is not on her actions. It digs much deeper and reminds us that faith is rooted in what she believed about God. It was not superficial, but responsive to God’s revelation. People of faith didn’t always like God’s direction and even had plans of their own, but they always settled their hearts in trusting his promises.
Faith does not happen in a vacuum but in the context of revelation (Romans 10.17). This means faith is an outflow of trust in God. It is an informed decision that gains momentum with God’s proven track record. Abraham and Sarah didn’t have much to work with… but it was enough. How much more can we see God’s consistent faithfulness in the pages of scripture?! We can trust God.
Faith understands when God reaches out, it is always for good. It is believing that no matter how bad the circumstances, he can change the outcome. It is settled in peace that God is both Sovereign and Good. As God reaches out to us through the pages of scripture, we must listen and determine to trust him. When we do, we will find both power and peace.
“[may you have] the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ…” (Ephesians 1.18-20a)
