By Faith

In Hebrews Chapter 11, most of the verses starts by saying, ‘BY FAITH’. And the author of Hebrews says that ‘without faith it is impossible to please God’. We know that this chapter includes all big Heroes of faith i.e. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel etc.

God has done mighty things through them. Indeed they are the true & mighty heroes of faith. But among all these men of faith, the Word of God acknowledges two mothers also i.e. Sarah & the mother of Moses. Let us go through their background in Genesis & Exodus.

1. Sarah – Sarah gave birth to Isaac, when Abraham was 100 years & she was 90 years old (Genesis 17:17, 21:5). The Word of God also mentioned that Sarah had passed the age of childbearing (Genesis 18:11).  We know that nothing is impossible for God as per Gen. 18:14. But was it easy for Sarah to bear a child at 90 years old? Practically it was too difficult to raise a child at old age where strength & activeness of body fades away & weakness grips your body. Also in today’s medical world, gynecologists says that, as age passes, complications to conceive & of child birth increases. It is also true that, new born brings joy but demands great responsibility.  But what Hebrews 11:11 says about Sarah that, “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”  What a great step of faith! She trusted in faithful God in all her negative situations. That is why the word of God counted her faith by mentioning her name in the list of people of faith. And by that she became the mother of nations & kings of people came through her according to God’s plan as per Gen.17:16 – “And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.” What a great reward of faith! Isn’t it?
2. The mother of Moses – During the time of Moses birth, situation was adverse for Israelites in Egypt. Pharaoh (King) had commanded that every male child of Israelites shall be cast into the river. In Exodus 2:2 it is written that, “So the woman (mother of Moses) conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was beautiful child, she hid him 3 months.” Perhaps she was supported by her Levite husband that is why Hebrews 11:23 says “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command”. By taking this dangerous step of hiding child they might have received severe punishment from king. But as per the above verse, they were not afraid of King’s command. Furthermore after 3 months, when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. (Exodus 2:3). Was it easy for a mother to lay her own child in river’s bank? No I don’t think so…. I think she might have prepared that ark of bulrushes for Moses with a heavy heart! But though she was sad, she trusted God greatly & that is why God returned back her son with wages by the daughter of Pharaoh. (Exodus 2:5 to 9) And the child became a great leader & prophet of Israel & performed signs & wonders by the might of God. By faith she pleased God & God rewarded her faith.

Jesus rebuked His disciples when they did not show their faith in Him in storm. Personally He also rebuked Peter when he was afraid by the waves & wind of the sea. In both these negative situations, Jesus was expecting faith in His disciples but He did not find in them. Do we have faith in our adverse situation? Are we taking step of faith if God is asking us to do so? Or are we reasoning with our finance, family situation, age, job, career etc.?  Sarah & the mother of Moses’ situations were not favorable. But by faith they did so. They did not perform any miracles, signs or wonders, but in obedience they simply trusted God in their negative situation. And their names are listed as the women of faith among the heroes of faith.

Jesus so lovingly said to His disciples in John 14:1 that, “Let not your hearts be troubled; Trust in God; trust also in Me”.

Psalmist David says about our Faithful God that, “Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Ps.36:6. Indeed great is the faithfulness of our loving & caring heavenly Father.

Psalm 127:3 to 5 says “Behold children are a heritage (gift) from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s in youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.”

If God’s will is to bless you with this gift, receive it with joy.

Anjali J. Benjamin