warm-up

What is the most ridiculous thing you believed as a child?

Who do you look up to when it comes to problem solving? Why?

What would you want changed in your life after five years?

word

Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. Hebrews 11:12

Two of the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews are Abraham and Sarah. They are known as the couple who defied the odds, bearing a son despite their old age. But this happened not as a result of their own will and hard work. It was God at work, fulfilling His promise to Abraham as he responded in faith. From their story, we can learn how to maintain great faith in God despite His seemingly impossible promises.

1
Obey.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8

(Read also Genesis 12:1–4.)

Abraham was a pagan when, seemingly out of nowhere, he was called by God to go from his country to the land that God showed him. Along with this command, God gave Abraham a promise: “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Even though Abraham and Sarah were already old and they had everything they needed, they obeyed God’s call. Has God ever asked you to do something that, at first, did not make sense to you? How did you respond? What happened?

2
Look forward.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10

Abraham, along with Sarah and their household, went as God had told him. Throughout the book of Genesis, we see that though Abraham wasn’t certain where he would end up, he continuously obeyed. He was looking forward to the fulfillment of God’s seemingly impossible promise of having a son, and to the city whose designer and builder is God. He left everything that was familiar and comfortable because he held on to the word that God had given and had hope for a better future with Him. What does Romans 5:5 say about putting our hope in God?

3
Consider God faithful.

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11

Logically, there was no way Abraham and Sarah could bear a child. Sarah was barren. She and Abraham were too old. Their faith was far from perfect. At one point, they even tried to “help” God fulfill His promise to them out of impatience. But God had His own way of doing things and nothing is impossible or too hard for Him (Genesis 18:14). Man has the tendency to look at an impossibility and try to solve it with human logic and abilities. Faith, however, is confident that God is faithful and able to fulfill what He has promised. How has this truth been displayed in your life?

application

Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Would you like to do so today and receive the gift of eternal life that can only be found in Him?

What promises from God do you consider impossible? What are two things that you can do this week to respond to these “impossibilities” in faith?

When was the last time you asked God for the impossible? Think about something you used to pray for, but stopped. How can you consider God as the only option for it this week?

prayer

Thank God for the relationship you have with Him. Thank Him that every day is an opportunity for you to grow in your faith in Him as you believe Him for the impossible.

Ask God to show you the promises you consider impossible. Pray for God to increase your faith as you seek Him and continuously hold on to His promises.

Pray for God to show you how He moves, even in the impossible situations and promises in your life. Pray for ways to encourage others about His faithfulness as well.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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