Partners in Faith

A study of Abraham and Sarah, a couple after God’s own heart, paints an extraordinary portrait! No other marriage in the Bible is given as much space. In the 13 chapters that detail their lives up until Sarah’s death, we get a glimpse of the epic tale of their love, their trials, their partnership, and their adventures. In them we see three basic elements needed to build a marriage that lasts.

Foundation.What was the foundationof their marriage—and their lives? There can be no doubt it was faith. Abraham, the husband, was a man of faith, and Sarah, the wife, was a woman of faith. They were God’s perfect combination! They possessed strong individual trust in God, which made them partners in faith.

Blueprint.They followed God’s blueprintfor their lives. What God said, they did. Like master builders—whether of an edifice or a marriage—they followed the specs and regulations set down by God. They had faith in Him and in His plans for them.

Tools.What were the toolsAbraham and Sarah used to build a marriage worthy to be mentioned in God’s Hall of Faith? First, we see their reliance on and heavy use of the promises of God. (We can only imagine the many discussions Abraham and Sarah had about the fact that they had no heir! And we can also imagine them continually and constantly reminding each other of God’s sure promise.) We also see patience as a tool for trusting and living for God. They waited and waited…and waited for a child.

No matter how tough it gets for you to trust God and wait patiently on Him, like Abraham and Sarah, pull out these words spoken by the Lord, face-to-face with Abraham, when He repeated His promise of a son through Sarah: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)

The answer? No, of course not.

Read Partners in Faith on Elizabeth & Jim George.