Hebrews 11:11-12 “By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the who one had promised was faithful. Therefore from one man–in fact, from one as good as dead–came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore.”

At the ages of 99 and 89 respectively, Abraham and Sarah still had no children. Throughout their lives, they needed reassurances that they would have a child. Neither Abraham nor Sarah were physically capable of becoming parents by the time they reached this age. The natural effects of aging had ended that hope by all appearances.

But God had given them a promise. And by faith they held onto that promise. And their faith received God’s gift. When Abraham was 100, ninety-year-old Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Through him, their family eventually became an entire nation.

Imagine that you were a royal child, born into wealth, and power, and privilege. Literally nothing was beyond your reach if you needed it. How would your life change?

Imagine that you lived under the constant watch and protection of a person with unmatched super powers. Super-strength, speed, intelligence, ability to bend and suspend the laws of nature–Your unbeatable body guard had no equal on earth. Might you worry less and venture more?

Imagine that you were one end of a relationship in which you were loved with an infinite love. This love knew no limits, no conditions, no end. It was so deep, so intense that nothing you did could make it stop, and no request was too much to ask of it. Would you feel more secure, and perhaps live more graciously and generously yourself?

Stop imagining. Start believing. It may not always be obvious to see, but this is your life, your situation, under the love and power of the God who gave up his only Son to save you. By faith in this God Abraham and Sarah received extraordinary gifts and lived extraordinary lives, though they themselves were very ordinary people. By faith we can do the same.

You see, faith not only changes our way of life. It changes the content of our lives as God pours his gifts into them. By faith you receive answers to your prayers. By faith you receive your daily bread. By faith he gives you wisdom for life’s challenges. By faith you continue to cling to the forgiveness of your sins, and the cross from which it comes, and the confidence that death is now a gateway to life that never ends. Faith may not bring you a miracle like Abraham and Sarah’s baby, but it still changes your life with gifts that bless us, body and soul.