A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos

Today’s Bible Verse

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numbers as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Hebrews 11:11-12

Rejuvenated by Faith

Miracles happen in our lives when God’s thoughts are revealed through the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we can come to know His perfect will. Then, the veil is removed and the things that our eyes cannot see, nor our ears hear, are brought forth through the Holy Spirit, because He knows the most intimate thoughts of God. This is why the Bible becomes even more important in our lives, because in each one of its phrases, the heartbeat of God is revealed to us so that we can walk in His ways without going astray.

Maintaining our faith in God implies perseverance in our faithfulness towards Him, even beyond any circumstance that we may experience. Without a doubt, Sarah was an exemplary woman in this regard. Although there was no way that she could have had even the slightest hope of becoming pregnant she did not give up her faith. Instead, she strengthened her inner-self and fought until she turned her circumstances into what God had promised.

Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son” (Genesis 18:11-14). Sarah was astonished as she heard what the angels said to Abraham. She was full of conflicting emotions, feeling doubt, joy, nervousness, and uncertainty all at the same time. But the angels confronted Abraham by asking him if there was anything too difficult for God to do.

Soon after this, the promise of God, for this exemplary couple, came to pass. The writer of Hebrews refers to Isaac as figuratively “dead,” (NIV). Not only was he born after the normal time for childbearing, but God also asks His father to offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham obeyed thinking that God could raise him from the dead. By faith, when tested, Abraham offered Isaac (Hebrews 11:17-19).

Something to Think About

It is incredible how the life of a family can change in just a moment. When we experienced what the Bible calls, “the dark days,” the only thing that sustained us was our trust in the Word of God and in the promises that He had given to us. The picture turned quite dramatic. As a family, that day we felt excited and joyous as we celebrated our second daughter’s birthday. Our daughters and nephews were riding in the back seat of the car. As it always happens when there are young children around, there was joy and laughter. But when my husband stopped the car at a red light, the picture changed. We began to hear shots all around the car. Glass sprayed all around like rain, blood covered us all. I watched as life began to abandon my husband. As I had the sudden feeling that I was loosing my husband, I was shaken and perplexed, because his body went limp after taking five shots. Everything around me told me that there was no hope for him. But, I refused to accept that, because I did not want to be a widow. In those moments, I drew strength from my weakness and in spite of having being shot myself I laid my hands on his arm and said “Cesar do not die!” Thank God that he understood that his mission on earth had not yet finished; this is why he fought to live. He quickly regained consciousness and we took him to an Emergency Room that was ten minutes away. We did not know that we were going to live through the toughest part in the following days. In looking at his body, his unconscious state, his head and neck completely swollen, his body plugged with tubes that connected him to a machine. All these things tried to weaken my faith. However, in the midst of this great pain and deep anguish the Lord gave me a word that turned into a promise of restoration and salvation. “And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:12). After ten days in the hospital, the Lord raised Cesar, and miraculously healed him completely. The promise that God had given me in Hebrews strengthened me and kept me focused in the midst of the tribulation. It helped me so much, it was as if I could see the unseen.” (Claudia Castellanos)

Prayer

All-knowing God, thank You for giving us the privilege of knowing You through Your revelation to Your servants. All that they have lived through has been like a window that showed us Your glory. We know that You are that Almighty God. You have dominion over all things. You made a woman who was barren and advanced in age to become a mother of nations. You always teach us that there is nothing impossible for You. Allow our lives to please You and always bring joy to Your heart, Amen.

Declaration

God is on my side and with His help I will accomplish the impossible.

Today’s Bible Reading

• Old Testament: Micah 1-3; Job 34:21-37
• New Testament: John 18:19-27; Revelation 11