Various · Hebrews 11.

Verse 11. In the personal histories which the Spirit has given of the elders in the Old Testament, we meet with many notices of blame. For their life was a conflict, like that of the believer now, between the opposing principles of faith and sense. But God keeps a record of pure praise, where all that faith has wrought in Him is carefully preserved (1 Cor. 4:5). The mention of Sarah's faith is a striking instance of this gracious jealousy of God over that which he accounts so precious. Her faith had to be awakened by a censure of her unbelief (Gen. 18). The Lord rebuked her. She feared before the presence of the Searcher of her thoughts, and out of that fear there sprang a confidence which trusted God according to His name. Faith cannot act effectively until the counsels of the heart have first been disallowed. God, in His power and intent to bless, presents Himself to the believer as a nearer object than his own imaginations. Sarah judged Him faithful who had promised when first her heart was emptied of herself.