Sarah's Faith
T. Manton, D. D. Hebrews 11:11-12 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age… I. THE PERSON BELIEVING. A woman, weak in sex, may be strong in faith. 1. Many times the word doth not work presently: Sarah laugheth at first, but afterwards believeth. Some that belong to the purposes of grace may stand out for a while against the ways of God, till they are fully convinced; as Sarah laughed till she knew it to be a word not spoken in jest, but a promise made in earnest. 2. Usually before the settling of faith there is a conflict. "Shall I have a child who am old, my lord being old also?" Reason opposeth against the promise. So it is usual when we come to settle the heart in the belief of any promise. Look, as when the fire beginneth to be kindled we see smoke first before flame, so it is here before our comforts be established, we are full of doubts; so that doubtings are a hopeful prognostic — it is a sign men mind their condition. 3. With great indulgence, God hideth the defects of His children and taketh notice of their graces. II. THE COMMENDATION OF HER FAITH. From the influence of her faith. 1. "She received strength to conceive seed." Learn hence — (1) That though bringing forth of children be according to the course of nature, yet God hath a great hand in it. (2) Let us improve it spiritually. (3) Faith hath a great stroke in making way for blessings. "By faith she received strength to conceive seed." Means can do nothing without God, and God will do nothing without faith (Matthew 13:58). 2. From the effect of this influence — "And was delivered of a child" — I observe hence — (1) Every promise received by faith will surely be seconded with performance. (2) Faith is the best midwife. By faith Sarah was delivered of a child. 3. From the application of her faith. "When she was past age." There were two difficulties — she was naturally barren (Genesis 11:30) and she was now ninety years of age, and it ceased to be with her "after the manner of woman"; and therefore here lay the excellency of her faith, that she could believe that she should be the mother of a mighty nation. Barren I say she was by natural constitution, and now no better than dead, having so long outlived the natural time of bearing children. Learn hence — That no difficulty or hindrance should cause a disbelief of the promise. The reasons, are two — partly from God, that maketh the promise; partly from faith, that receiveth the promise. (1) From God's nature. God is not tied to the order of second causes, much less to the road of common probabilities; He will turn nature upside down rather than not be as good as His word. (2) From the nature of faith, which is to guide the soul when reason and sense faileth. III. THE GROUND OF HER FAITH. Because she judged Him faithful that had promised. Hence observe — 1. Wherever we put forth faith we must have a promise, otherwise it is but fancy, not faith. It is not a ground of expectation barely what God is able to do, but what God will do. As the two pillars of Solomon's house were called Jachin and Boaz (1 Kings 7:21) — the one signifies "Strength," and the other "He will establish it." 2. In closing with the promise, we should chiefly give God the honour of His faithfulness. (1) Because God valueth this most, He standeth much of His truth. Heaven and earth shall pass away before one jot or tittle of His word shall pass (Matthew 5:18). The monuments of His power shall be defaced to make good His truth (Psalm 138:2). "Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name." All other attributes give way to this. (2) Because this giveth support and relief to the soul in waiting (Hebrews 10:23). "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised." God hath promised no more than He is able to perform; His word never exceeded His power. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. WEB: By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.