She judged Him faithful who promised her that she would bear a child in old age. Because of Sarah's faith, strength was received to conceive. Isaac was born when she was ninety years old! Having left a modern city and her relatives to follow her husband to the promise land, she lived in a tent for the rest of her life. Faith and hope were her companions all the days of her sojourn.

Sarah judged Him faithful who promised that the Messiah would come through the son she bore. She focused on that hope. In her mind's eye she envisioned the promises afar off. She was assured of them and embraced them. Yet she died without having received that promise. Without an ounce of bitterness in her heart, she confessed being a stranger and pilgrim on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13)

Hope lightened her heart. Hope wiped away her tears. Hope gave her joy. Hope gave her something on which to fix her daydreams.

A child............

The promise land...........

The Savior.............

Heaven.............

Christ came many, many years after Sarah died. Today, we fix our hopes and dreams on the day of Christ's return:

a. Of a beautiful home in glory

b. Of a reunion with loved ones

c. Of meeting the faithful of the past

d. Of beholding the Father on His throne

e. Of falling down to worship and adore Him

f. Of joy unending

This hope sustains us. Christ may come today. Christ may come in our lifetime. Christ may come many centuries from now. Yet we like Sarah are buoyed and made alive by hope.

Hope for today

Hope for tomorrow

Hope for eternity