Women Of Faith – Genesis 23

The Imperfect Path to Becoming a Woman of Faith: Lessons from Sarah’s Life

Have you ever felt like your past mistakes disqualify you from being used by God? Or perhaps you’ve wondered if your doubts and struggles mean you lack true faith? If so, you’re not alone. The Bible is full of stories of imperfect people whom God used mightily, and one of the most inspiring is that of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

As we explore Sarah’s journey, we’ll discover that God uses, grows, and honors women of faith – not despite their imperfections, but often through them. Let’s dive into this encouraging message that reminds us of God’s grace and power in our lives.

God Desires to Use Women of Faith (Despite Their Imperfections)

One of the most comforting truths we can glean from Sarah’s story is that “God desires to use Women of Faith in spite of your imperfections.” This isn’t just a feel-good statement; it’s a Biblical reality demonstrated throughout Sarah’s life.

Consider these aspects of Sarah’s journey:

1. She stood by an imperfect husband: Abraham, though a man of great faith, had his share of missteps. Sarah remained faithful through his ups and downs, reminding us that God can use us even when those closest to us aren’t perfect.
2. She sometimes displayed wrong attitudes: In Genesis 16:6, we see Sarah dealing “harshly” with Hagar. This reminds us that even women of faith can struggle with jealousy or unkindness at times.
3. She was complicit in wrongdoing: Sarah went along with Abraham’s deception about their relationship, telling others she was his sister (Genesis 20:5). Yet God still considered her a woman of faith.
4. She faced numerous trials: From leaving her homeland to dealing with infertility, Sarah’s faith was tested repeatedly.
5. She doubted and even lied about it: When told she would bear a son in her old age, Sarah laughed in disbelief and then denied it (Genesis 18:10-15).

Despite all these imperfections, Hebrews 11 lists Sarah as an example of faith. This should encourage us that “God’s not going to judge you on what you did but have you sought forgiveness, will you continue to follow his path, will you continue believe his word, will you continue to to be obedient to what God is calling you to do.”

God Desires to Grow Women of Faith

Sarah’s faith didn’t appear fully formed; it grew over time through various circumstances. “God is using these circumstances to mold Abraham, God is using these circumstances from Genesis 12 all the way through 23 to mold a woman to grow a woman of faith.”

A key turning point for Sarah came when she witnessed God fulfilling His promise in her life. Genesis 21:1-2 tells us, “The Lord visited Sarah as he said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.”

This experience taught Sarah to trust in God’s word and His ability to do the impossible. As the sermon states, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” To grow in faith, we need to:

1. Study God’s word
2. Understand His promises
3. Believe what He says
4. Act upon His word

God Honors Women of Faith

Finally, we see that God honors women of faith. The apostle Peter holds up Sarah as an example for other women to follow in 1 Peter 3:1-6. Her legacy of faith continues to inspire believers thousands of years later.

As the sermon reminds us, “We ought to honor motherhood, we ought to honor ladies, we ought to honor what God desires to do in their hearts and their lives. We ought to embrace it, we ought to applaud it and praise God for ladies who are making a difference.”

Putting It Into Practice

So how can we apply these lessons to our lives? Here are some practical steps:

1. Embrace God’s grace: Remember that God uses imperfect people. Don’t let past mistakes hold you back from serving Him.
2. Grow your faith: Spend time in God’s word, learning His promises and acting on them.
3. Trust God in trials: Like Sarah, view your challenges as opportunities for God to grow your faith.
4. Be honest with God: Even when you doubt, bring those doubts to God. He can handle your questions and strengthen your faith.
5. Honor faithful women: Recognize and encourage the women of faith in your life, whether they’re mothers, mentors, or friends.

Remember, “Faith makes one obey God even blindly sometimes, not knowing where God is leading.” As you step out in faith, trust that God is using your journey – imperfections and all – to shape you into a woman of faith who brings glory to His name.