Hebrews 11:11-12 Focus on God’s faithfulness, and faith will arise naturally

Hebrews 11:11-12

11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Background

God promised to bless Abraham with an everlasting kingdom as well as innumerable descendants (Genesis 17:19). It was essential that a son be given to Abraham through whom Jesus came into the world. And it was through Jesus that the promise of descendants as innumerable as the stars of heaven and grains of sand be fulfilled. It was the prophetic word of the messengers that rekindled Sarah’s faith enabling her to conceive at the age of 99 years. Today’s passage teaches us that we only need to focus on God’s faithfulness, and faith will arise naturally.

Observation

11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

Sarah even when she was past childbearing age remained hopeful that she may one day conceive. She was 99 years old when the messengers arrived at her tent announcing the birth of Isaac in about the same time the following year. Although she laughed in disbelief, her faith in God that lay dormant was rekindled by their prophetic words (Genesis 18:10). Sarah’s faith stood the test of time and nature because she considered Him faithful who had promised. Sarah simply believed that God who gave her the promise will be faithful to bring it to pass.

12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Faith caused countless descendants to arise from one man who was as good as dead. The focus here is not in the power of God, but in the potency and the necessity of men’s faith. The innumerable stars of heaven and grains of sand represent the sons of God in the kingdom. In order for God to birth forth His kingdom upon the earth, He needs to first find faith on earth. Without the faith of men, the kingdom of God remains dormant.

Truth

Focus on God’s faithfulness, and faith will arise naturally. Therefore, our faith is derived from the faithfulness of God. God has already decided that He will fulfill His promise to us but in His perfect time. If we, believers, persevere in doing God’s will, and by sticking to the course, we will obtain the promise in good time. Some believers suppose by praying more, they may attract God’s faithfulness. However, the purpose of prayer is not to urge God to be faithful, but to listen to His instructions so that we may know how to exercise faith. The reason why Sarah had faith was because she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore, the basis of the believers’ faith rests on God’s faithfulness. Faith is not to turn to the left or to the right, but to persevere in the course until we obtain victory.

Believers need to rekindle one another’s faith by speaking positively and prophetically to another. The word of prophecy rekindles our faith that lay dormant. Both Abraham and Sarah had gone past the age of childbearing. However, their faith was rekindled by the prophetic word of the messengers. In protracted periods of difficulties, God sends messengers your way to rekindle your faith. Therefore, we need more spirit-filled believers in our midst who are willing to speak out boldly and prophetically. Although the words of the bible are important, sometimes a prophetic word is the key! The messengers prophesied to Abraham, “The Lord said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.’” Genesis 18:10. Therefore, when God impresses upon you to speak prophetically, proclaim it boldly, do not hold back the blessing from your brothers.

It is only through the faith of ordinary men that God’s kingdom is manifested in our midst. It was through the faith of one “dead” man that innumerable descendants were born. It has been God’s unchanging principle that His kingdom be manifested through the faith of ordinary men. God will not work until He finds vessels of faith on earth. Amos the prophet said, “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” God works through the faith of his prophets! Many churchgoers suppose by their occasional prayers God would reach down and manifest His kingdom without their active participation. Hence, they do not listen to His instructions daily and obey Him. Prayer is but a process through which God provides His instructions. It is by our active obedience at the back of God’s instructions that we demonstrate faith.

Application

1. Are you often apprehensive of the possibility of God manifesting His kingdom through you? Hence, you are often low in profile, preferring others to take the pivotal role. God desires to use you to be a channel of blessing to the world, and to give a word of wisdom at the critical moment. And you will be pleasantly surprised by what you can do.
2. Do you see yourself as a person of faith? True faith is not about believing big, but in being faithful in the daily tasks. Constantly remind yourself of God’s faithfulness, and faith will come naturally.

Dear Lord, I thank you that what you have promised, you will surely bring to pass. I thank you for the prophetic word and the dreams that you have given. Strengthen me to redeem the time by walking in your will daily. I will surely obtain your promise in your perfect time. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.