She Judged Him Faithful Who Promised

What Sarah’s Story Teaches Us About Waiting Well

A Promise You Can Taste

Midwest winters are highly unpredictable—and downright cold. 

As kids, my sister and I didn’t care what the temperature said.  We were more than happy to suit up, head outside and frolic in the powdery magic of fresh snowfall.  Our home was on a small hill, just big enough to make our tummies flip as we pulled our sleds to the side of the house and zipped down the incline that fell perfectly between our parents’ bedroom wall and our grandparent’s house next door.  In the summer they had a garden planted out back, but in the winter months the entirety of both yards was our playground.

After a while, my mother would call out to us and invite us inside for a treat.  Without a doubt we knew she would have something warm and delicious.  We would hurry up to pull our sleds into the garage and start the task of unbundling. 

Looking back, it wasn’t just about the snow days—our mother was somewhat of a genius. 

She had these tiny brown ceramic cups that she reserved for both us girls.  They were our special treat cups.  She would get us ready for our outdoor adventure while talking up the surprise she would prepare for us.  Sometimes it was flavored tea or fresh hot chocolate. 

We might even get a homemade cookie to go with it.

We would head out into the frosty air with a hint of anticipation sparking our adrenaline.  When she called out to us, we never hesitated to respond because we knew our surprise was ready.  She did not have to fuss or argue to get us to give up our sled races.  We were more than eager for our tasty treat.  She always had it ready just in time for us to warm up, making our playtime even more delightful.

The Birth of Faith

Have you ever had the anticipation of a promise or something to look forward to that brought you joy and excitement?  Perhaps it was counting down the days until your favorite concert or waking up on your birthday to balloons and cake.  Whatever it was, you had confidence that something good was coming.

Sarah’s story in the bible is full of this expectation. The funny part is when we first meet her, she does not seem to have much confidence that good things are coming for her at all.  God makes a covenant, or a promise, to her husband, Abraham that Abraham will father great nations.  In fact, God declares that Abraham’s legacy will include kings.  God tells Abraham that he and Sarah will have a son.

When Sarah first hears this news, she laughs within herself.  She was already in her silver years and past menopause.  In fact, she calls herself “old.”  She questions how this is even supposed to happen for her.

As we continue through the book of Genesis, we learn that Sarah does in fact have a son at her advanced age and he is named Isaac.  God sets an entire prophecy in motion when Isaac is born.  Isaac has a son named Jacob, whom God calls Israel.  Jacob has twelve sons who later shape the start of what becomes the nation of Israel. 

We do not know much more about Sarah, other than she lived until her son was 37 years old.  How did she manage to give birth to a son at nearly 90?  Surely, she stopped laughing in disbelief once she realized God was indeed serious about this plan.  Did she stress or question why God chose her for this task?   

We can fast forward into the New Testament and find a record of faith.  The 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews is famous for its opening verse.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). 

Faith is what we have when we trust a promise has been given—and that it will come to pass.

Reading down to verse 11 of this same chapter, we find Sarah mentioned again.  Some two thousand years later her situation was still being talked about.  But we don’t find a voice who merely laughed at God.  What we find is a powerful testimony of a strong woman.

“Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive, and delivered a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11).

Here is our sweet Sarah, the one who initially couldn’t believe she would physically bear a son.  She looked at the reality of her situation and knew she did not have the ability within herself to make this happen.  She was way too old.  Surely, it wasn’t possible.  Was it?

We learn in Hebrews that Sarah received strength to walk in this promise because she dug down deep and took ahold of faith.  Sure, the initial thought brought a shock.  The absurdity of having a child at her age made her laugh to herself.  Yet, she stopped to consider just who had made this declaration to her and her husband. 

Even though it seemed impossible, she knew that God had the power to bring it to pass.

Sarah received the ability she needed because God granted it to her through her faith.  She surrendered her future to her creator. 

She chose to believe that the One who made the promise was faithful to keep it.

Childlike Faith Again

Just as my sister and I knew our mother would have something delicious prepared for us on snow days, Sarah chose to trust God. We girls showed up with our childlike faith, anticipating something wonderful because our mother was faithful to her word.  She would make sure we were cozy and dry inside and would fill our mugs with warmth and love.  We knew she would do it for us because she told us she would.  We came when she called because we trusted she had been preparing all the while. 

So did Sarah.

When the Promise Feels Impossible

I wonder how many times Sarah needed other things that she also trusted God for?  Once she held the miracle of her son in her arms, did she ever doubt that God wouldn’t fulfill every single promise to her? 

She must have watched Isaac play with the proudest smile on her face and let tears slip down her cheeks in gratitude when she tucked his tiny body into bed each night, tussling his hair and making sure he was wrapped up safe and warm.

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. - Psalm 62:8

In the middle of hard seasons it can feel like God is so far away.  It can seem like there is no reason to hope any longer.  No reason to call out to him.  No reason to wait for him.

Sarah is our reminder today that God is still faithful.  She waited her lifetime to have a child.  She thought her time had passed. 

She still received her promise.

God Is Still Faithful

Personally, I have walked a challenging path of infertility while wanting to start a family yet not having a body that would cooperate.  There were moments I truly believed it would happen for me. 

I brought this desire to God for many years in heaps and buckets of tears. 

While I never physically birthed my own, He gave me deeply meaningful seasons of being a step-mother, an auntie and a godmother. 

And even still, there were moments of grief. Sarah must have had so many of these moments during the course of her life. It seemed absurd that she should receive a promise so far past what she thought was capable.

But I have come to know this, just as Sarah did: God’s faithfulness is not limited to one outcome. Some might look at my story and wonder if I had faith for nothing. But I have seen God move in ways I never expected—ways that still carried His goodness, His care, and His presence. 

Remember This

I pray we can always have a Sarah-like faith.  One that looks at what I can see and still chooses to believe in who God is. Not because everything turns out the way we hoped, but because He is faithful in every season. 

Scripture tells us, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13) 

I have seen His goodness.

Not always in the way I expected—but always in the way I needed. 

So I will hold on.  Not to an outcome—but to Him.  I pray you can, too.

Be well, friend. 💛

Reflection

A Prayer for Today

Lord, You are steady and faithful, unchanging through every season. Even when I cannot see what You are doing, I know You are good and worthy of my trust.

Sometimes I find myself grasping for control or losing hope when answers feel delayed. Yet You meet me with grace, carry me in my weakness, and remind me of the goodness You’ve already shown.

Teach me to trust You here.

Lead me. Help me lean into Your heart and believe that You are working—even now.

 - Amen.

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