Hebrews 11:11 "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised." (NKJV)

Sarah's faith overcame her incredulity expressed in her laughter on overhearing the announcement to Abraham that she would give birth to a son in her old age. She responded with faith to the Lord's question

Genesis 18:14 "Is any thing too hard for the LORD? ..." (KJV)

Indeed, she had laughed at the idea of conceiving at 90 years of age - but soon her believing heart was singing, perhaps something like this: "Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing is impossible with God." There is nothing too difficult for God to do.

"Sarah as well as for her descendants Mary and Elizabeth (See Luke 1:34-37 ). Nothing within God's will, including creation (See Jeremiah 32:17 ), and redemption (See Matthew 19:25-26 ), is impossible for Him." NIV Study Bible

Abraham was a hundred years old (Genesis 21:5 ). Faith can face up to all the facts, consider carefully all the difficulties, yet depend unshaken on the promise of God (Romans 4:19 ).

Hebrews 11:12 "Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude; innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore." (NKJV)

Thirteen years after being promised seed as the dust of the earth (Genesis 13:16 ) which referred to his earthly descendants, Abraham was given the promise of descendants numerous as the stars. (Genesis 15:5 ). Paul refers to this second line of posterity when he said to Gentile saints,

Galatians 3:29 "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. " (KJV)

The city for which Abraham looked has both lines written upon it (Revelation 21:12-14 ). Abraham displayed faith taking into account all the impossibilities, but, triumphant in the God of the impossible.

Hebrews 11:13 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. " (KJV)

"These all" include Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob (Hebrews 11:39 ). They confidently expected these far off promises to be fulfilled - neither did their imminent deaths diminish their confidence in God's word about the land and the heavenly city. They were looking for more than a physical fulfilment. They embraced the eternal promise. They could have returned to an earthly country had they so desired (Hebrews 11:15 ).

Hebrews 11:16 "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: ..." (KJV)

Their faith was sure of what they and we hope for - the ultimate eternal state in the heavenly country, the new Jerusalem - real and secured for us by our Lord Jesus Christ. They never lost faith that God would satisfy every promise. What a challenge to us who enjoy the full New Testament revelation.

Hebrews 11:16 "... God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (KJV)

God allowed Himself to be known as "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." And it proclaims their continued life after death - and that of all believers. This great truth is rooted in the character of God, and established from this title by the Lord Jesus.

Matthew 22:32 "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." (KJV)

The believer who physically dies, will never experience spiritual death (John 11:25-26 ). God is the God of the living. The Patriarchs as believers, have continuity of life unbroken by death, as do all His people who have eternal life through believing (John 3:16 ). Our everlasting prospect is sure. We shall be with Him (John 14:2 ), and occupy the place He has prepared (John 14:3; Philippians 1:21-23 ).