Hebrews 11:11-19; Psalm 127

Hebrews 11:11-19
These verses are still talking about Abraham and his family. Sarah "believed that God would keep his promise." v. 11 What an example for us! This is a worthy prayer, "Lord, help us to believe Your promises, just as Sarah did." Surely our situations could never seem as impossible as Sarah's was.

Then v. 13 reminds us that we don't have to live to see God answer our prayers or keep His promises. "All these people died still believing what God had promised them." They were trusting God by faith and looking forward to their "heavenly homeland." We should be doing the same.

vv. 17-19 tell us that Abraham passed the ultimate faith test when he was willing to offer Isaac, the answer to an earlier promise. He was willing to give this child of promise back to God as a sacrifice reasoning that God would keep His promise. He believed that God could even bring him back from the dead if necessary. In the end, God didn't require Abraham to complete this sacrifice, but seeing his faith He rewarded him with descendants so numerous they can't be counted.

Psalm 127
This psalm illustrates the truth that without the Lord, anything we do is worthless. Jesus said in John 15:5, "Without Me you can do nothing." We can never experience the blessings of the Lord in our homes or work unless these are founded on the Lord.

v. 2 is interesting. We know that God's not against hard work. Proverbs clearly warns against idleness and laziness as does scripture in other places. However, everything must be kept in balance. Without the blessing of the Lord, we can work ourselves into a frenzy day and night! Anxiety and sleepless nights are not God's will either! Let's stay in the center of God's will in our work, and He will provide for our needs and give us proper rest as well.

vv. 3-5 tell us that children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord. This is not to say that the rearing of them will be easy. Always remember that people, including children, are more important that "things." A peaceful and happy home require generous amounts time and attention.