Abraham (1923-1905 BC) & Sarah
Hebrews 11:8a
(NIV)
READ: Genesis 12:1-9; 15:1-19; 21:7; 22:1-19 and Hebrews 11:8-19
God called Abraham to leave his home and go out not knowing where he
was going. At first, Abraham’s faith was
less than perfect as he went halfway to the place God had called him to go but
he eventually obeyed God completely and is remembered by the writer of Hebrews
not as one who had delayed obedience but one with great faith. Abraham lived as a sojourner in the land God
had promised, never owning any of it except the plots that he and Sarah were
buried on. Sarah’s faith was not perfect
either as she first laughed at the prospect of having a child in her old age
but we are told “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).
Because of the faith of Abraham and Sarah millions of descendants
were born, God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel. Their faith had an impact on more lives than
they ever dreamed. The promise of the
Messiah was made to Abraham and Sarah and they believed the promise but died
having never received it, only seeing it in faith. They were willing to look to eternity, to
embrace the promises and confess that they were strangers and pilgrims on this
earth. They desired a homeland, a
heavenly country, eternal life.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God. Abraham’s faith was great enough to believe
that God would raise the dead and that God would keep his promises no matter
what. When tested, Abraham offered up
Isaac, the son of the promise. Although
God kept Isaac from dying, Abraham really did sacrifice his son from his heart;
in his mind Isaac was as good as dead.
Abraham knew that God was able to fulfill the promise and beat the power
of death. When Abraham was confronted
with a promise and a command, both from God, which seemed to contradict each
other, he did what we all should do – he obeyed the command and let God take
care of the promise. This shows his
great faith that God is more than able to do what He says He will do!
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
