Hebrews 11:11 says that, "By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.”
This is the story of a 100-year-old Abraham having a child with his 90-year-old wife, Sarah. We look at that miracle and think to ourselves that this is the important part. Having a child at that age is an act of supernatural intervention; God enabled them to do the impossible.
However, I would submit that this is not the important part of the story. The important part comes at the end of the verse where it talks about Abraham’s faith in God. It is the faith part that enabled the miracle part.
Stephanie Reeve’s young adult son got a seasonal job working at a Vermont State Park. He had been looking for suitable short-term housing, but so far had found nothing. Stephanie was also searching for him on the Internet, but there just wasn’t any suitable housing available. Too many of the places wanted a year-long commitment, or wanted to rent to a family, or wanted an unreasonable security guarantee.
After an hour of online searching, she despaired of ever finding an appropriate place. It seemed impossible. She bowed her head and prayed, “Lord, I’ve exhausted my efforts; please direct us to the place you have for my son.”
Upon reopening the computer and using the exact same search terms, a new website appeared: "Furnished Finders." It hadn't shown up before. This platform connected travelers with short-term rentals—furnished apartments in safe locations across the country. It was precisely what she had been seeking!
Not only that but the landlord was a boat captain who worked at the very same state park where her son would be employed. It felt orchestrated; it felt like God was providing for them. It felt like this went beyond mere coincidence.
None of this had happened before she prayed, and all of it had come after she prayed. Prayer is no guarantee; God doesn’t always answer in such a concrete way, yet faith always makes a difference.
By faith Abraham believed, and because of that faith God acted. That’s exactly the same story Stephanie Reeves tells, and it can also be your story through faith.
