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“Sarai was barren; she had no child.” Seven words. A simple statement of cold, hard fact.
Perhaps Sarai (whom God later called Sarah) wondered, What’s gone wrong? What have I done? Why hasn’t God blessed me with children? On and on her questioning went…and so did her pain. Nothing could relieve it, soothe it, take it away. Childlessness was a stigma that seared deeply into her soul with each childless sunrise.
Sarah was the wife of Abram (whose name was changed to Abraham) and a follower of God. She was barren for many years, but then God promised Abraham and Sarah a child in their old age. But the baby was a long time coming.
With aching heart and stinging tears, Sarah trusted God one more time, for one more day, over and over. Despite a few setbacks, Sarah learned that faith—instead of giving up, succumbing to bitterness, lashing out at others, turning her back on God, giving in to a contentious spirit, and manipulating the situation—is the best way to face the distresses of life.
For 11 years Sarah grabbed on to God’s promise. That’s more than 4000 “faith reaches”! Then God’s promise was fulfilled and Isaac was born. Oh, how Abraham and Sarah must have rejoiced!
Faith, like physical muscle, is developed and strengthened with use. Each time you trust God as you face seemingly unbearable, unusual, unchangeable circumstances, your faith increases. What difficult issue are you facing today? Reach out to God one more time! Turn toward the unknown, the unseen, the eternal, and watch your faith grow.
RESPOND
Lord, thank You for leading me to the center of Your will. Help me to see Your hand in everything that comes my way as I follow You today. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
One Minute with the Women of the Bible—Start or end your day with these powerful one-minute devotions that are reminders of God’s work in the lives of women in the Bible.
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REFLECT
“Sarai was barren; she had no child.” (Genesis 11:30)
Have you prayed about one more “faith reach”?
REMEMBER
Turn toward the unknown, the unseen, the eternal, and watch your faith grow.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
One of my favorite words in the English language is “bittersweet.” It’s sort of like the well-known announcement, “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” This picturesque term always reminds me that many occurrences in life fall simultaneously into the glad/sad category, bringing forth both emotions at once.
