“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” (Hebrews 11:1-2 NKJV)
“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:11-12 NKJV)
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV)
Here in the Book of Hebrews it makes it clear that Sarah was a great example of faith. However, she didn’t start out that way. When she first was told that she would have a child in her old age she broke out in laughter. It wasn’t the laughter of joy, it was the sarcastic laughter of unbelief. However, due to her trust in her Heavenly Father, her laughter gradually changed to the laughter that comes from the confidence of faith, and brought the life giving strength of joy into her life.
The Bible says that Sarah “judged Him faithful Who had promised.” When the “promise” seems too big, too far off, or too slow in arriving, I need to take my eyes off the promise for a bit and look closer at the One who made the promise. There is nothing too difficult for the Creator of the Universe!
It is common to stumble when first receiving a promise. The enemy will do everything in his power to keep me from experiencing the fulfillment of the Word in my life. He will find ways to cause me to stumble, then he will get me to condemn myself for stumbling. Like Sarah, I need to allow my trust in the One who made the promise to turn my laughter of unbelief into the faith filled laughter of joy.
Race Tips From Sarah:
- Trust the One who promised that I would win the race
- Draw strength from the laughter of joy
- Look beyond my own limitations
- Believe that I will receive the strength needed to run victoriously
Now we are running with…
… Eric’s Life Lesson # 181: “I will run a victorious “life-race” if I will learn the “life-lessons” of those witnesses who gave testimony of how to win the race.” Part 7: Sarah