"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."
Hebrews 11:11
God made a promise to Abraham that he would be the father of a multitude. As a matter of fact, that's exactly what the name Abraham means, father of a multitude. Yet, his wife did not have the child of promise until past the child-bearing age. They received the promise of God by faith. Such faith is always the way to receive the promises of God.
Without faith, the promises of God are invalid. It's like a ticket to a ballgame or concert. In the middle it is perforated with these words printed - "Void If Detached." It is only to be detached as you give it to an attendant at the gate or doorway. So it is with the promises of God. They are all void when detached from faith (Hebrews 4:1-2).
Faith receives from God now, even before we can see it fulfilled before our eyes. "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith sees not with the natural eyes. Faith sees with the eyes of the heart. Unbelief says, "Show me, then I will believe." Faith says, "I believe, and therefore I shall see." We don't trust our eyes nor our ability to make it happen. Faith is willing to trust the promise of God.
Our prayer life really changes when it is based on the promises of God. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). As we meditate on the promises of God, faith begins to rise in our hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit. Then, we can pray the promise back to God, knowing full well that the promises of God cannot fail, for God can never lie (Titus 1:2). Base your prayers on faith in the promises of God. Faith receives from God.
Father, we receive all You have for us by faith in Jesus Christ.
