Sarah’s faith, God’s faithfulness
by Jeremy Lie
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Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise (Hebrews 11:11).
Read Hebrews 11:8–12
The writer of Hebrews picks up on a through line that has been evident throughout this week of devotions: the idea of trusting God despite our circumstances. This week, we have focused a lot on Abraham’s faith, but I love how some translations of this passage also highlight Sarah’s faith.
In our Lutheran Church of Australia, it can feel as though the narrative focuses heavily on the male experience at times, and I must admit my own positionality, writing as a Lutheran male. As I’ve been sitting with this passage, though, I found it refreshing to reflect on and be guided by Sarah’s relationship with God, and I hope you do, too.
Sarah, too, received God’s call at the same time as Abraham, and God also changed her name from Sarai to Sarah (which means princess), representing the royal call on her life. She, too, had to leave all she knew and travel to a foreign land with Abraham, trusting in the Lord’s promise.
For those who have journeyed through infertility, it is a tough and emotionally challenging experience. It affects your identity, your worth and how you see your purpose. Sarah’s long-term barrenness shaped her life in all these ways.
In a culture where children meant security and honour, her inability to conceive would’ve almost certainly brought deep pain and tension. So much so, that during the waiting, she gave her servant Hagar to Abraham, leading to the birth of Ishmael – an attempt to ‘help’ fulfil God’s promise. We learn through this act that human intervention cannot fast-track God’s intentions. Trust is almost always accompanied by trials.
When Sarah heard she would bear a son in old age, she laughed in disbelief. Yet God’s question, ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord?’ became a defining statement over her life. Sarah gave birth to Isaac, whose name means ‘laughter’. Her mourning turned into joy, and her doubt into delight.
Sarah models for us a strong faith rooted in deep trust. Notice in verse 11 her reason for her faith, ‘because she considered him faithful who made the promise.’ Sarah teaches us that our faith isn’t based on blind trust but rather founded in God’s faithfulness.
Heavenly Father, may we learn from Sarah to trust in your faithfulness. When promises seem unfulfilled and our future uncertain, may we learn to lean on your word and your presence in our lives through your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Jeremy is a chaplain and Christian Studies teacher at Lutheran Ormeau Rivers District School (LORDS) in Queensland. He loves working with young people as they journey through life in search of connection and meaning. He is particularly passionate about reshaping conventional ideals of masculinity and empowering young people to view vulnerability not as a sign of weakness but as a sign of strength.
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