Hebrews 11:11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
It is amazing what God will do when we follow His promises!! The kicker on the whole promise thing is timing, and that is to be held in the hands of the perfect timekeeper. To God, a day is like a thousand years, so only two days have gone by since the birth of Jesus our Savior. Peter wrote this in 2 Peter 3:8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years are like a day. Why emphasize "we must remember this?" Possibly because without remembering the above truth we might get weary and give up on God's promises. Don't fall into that trap and continue to trust God in faith.
If we water down our faith, it waters down our very existence as believers. When scripture says all things are possible with God, I believe it. King Solomon, the one God gave great wisdom to said it this way in Ecclesiastes 3: 1 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven. I guess a modern-day way we should look at everything is God's Got This! We have a choice as to how we will respond to it and God wants us to respond in faith. The writer of Hebrews in Chapter 11 said it was "by faith" that even Sarah was able to have a child. The verses do not mention that her faith was compromised and she and Abraham even laughed when God said it again and again. God came through even though their faith had dwindled some because God's plan was perfect and He came through even when they laughed in a very unfaithful way.
The reason for what was happening was the main point that God was going to use her womb for his purposes. Sound familiar? It is the time of year we celebrate God using another womb for His purpose and that purpose was so we might have eternal life. His ways are perfect, though at times unconventional. But remember, He is God! Just about the time we give up on Him, He comes through for us, especially when His perfect plan involves something lasting and wonderful like setting into motion a nation. And the result of the birth of that nation is the birth of the Messiah.
When Jesus was born He set into motion more and more of God's promises being fulfilled and that fulfillment meant the offer of the forgiveness of our sins and the redemption of mankind. We are to shine like stars and that happens when we are born again in the Spirit. Paul said it this way in Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining and arguing,15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
Every time a person is born again we are Birthing Stars that are all a result of God's promises and God's faithfulness. We will fail at times, but like God did for Sarah, His plan is still the priority, even in our failings. Our faith may not always be perfect, but God's promises come through anyway Especially in light of His marvelous grace. The birth of Jesus made all of this a reality. So live in this reality and have faith that God is still working and He is still birthing stars to shine in a dark and desperate world. Shine on!
The Pilgrimage Continues
David Warren
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