What role does faith play in witnessing God's promises fulfilled, as seen in Genesis 21:5? Setting the Scene • “Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.” (Genesis 21:5) • God had first promised Abram descendants in Genesis 12:2 and reiterated that promise in Genesis 15:4–5; 17:16–19. • Abraham’s physical situation—advanced age and Sarah’s barrenness—made fulfillment impossible by human means (Romans 4:19). • Genesis 21:5 records the moment promise becomes reality. Faith as the Bridge Between Promise and Fulfillment • Faith receives God’s word as fact before any evidence appears (Hebrews 11:1). • Abraham “believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). • That belief anchored him for 25 years until Isaac arrived (Romans 4:20–21). • Without faith Abraham would have dismissed God’s promise as wishful thinking; faith kept expectation alive. Faith Sustains Obedience • Abraham obeyed ongoing directives—circumcision (Genesis 17:23), caring for Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:12–14). • Faith turns obedience from duty into anticipation, trusting each step brings one closer to God’s declared outcome. • James 2:22 notes that Abraham’s faith was “working together with his works.” Faith Waits With Hope, Not Passivity • Genesis 18:10: “I will surely return to you… Sarah your wife will have a son.” • Abraham prepares hospitality, prays for Sodom, manages household affairs—active stewardship while waiting. • Psalm 37:7: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” Faith-filled waiting blends patience with purposeful living. Faith Magnifies God’s Glory in the Fulfillment • The impossibility of the circumstances highlights God’s power. • Romans 4:20: Abraham “gave glory to God,” crediting the miracle solely to Him. • When Isaac arrives, laughter (Genesis 21:6) replaces doubt, and the entire household witnesses God’s faithfulness. Faith Leaves a Testimony for Future Generations • Isaac’s birth secures the covenant line leading to Christ (Galatians 3:16). • Hebrews 11:11–12 points to Abraham and Sarah as models for all believers. • Our own faith responses become stories that encourage others (Psalm 145:4). Takeaway Principles • God’s promises are certain, but faith is the God-ordained means by which we experience their reality. • Lengthy delays are not failures; they refine faith and maximize God’s glory. • Active obedience and hopeful waiting are twin expressions of living faith. • When fulfillment comes, faith turns the spotlight from ourselves to God, ensuring He receives the praise He deserves. |
    |