The Bible is replete with examples of women operating in faith and changing the direction of families, cities and nations. In the great “faith chapter” of Hebrews 11, the first woman of faith we find recognized is Sarah, a true spiritual mother. The Word of God says, “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” (Heb. 11:11).
At the age of 90 Sarah gave birth to Isaac, overcoming her physical inability because she judged God to be faithful to the Word He had spoken years before. In Genesis 17:16, the Lord promised Abraham that He would bless Sarah and give him a son by her and that she would be a mother of nations. “Kings of peoples shall be from her,” He told him.
God confirmed His promise some time later when three angels visited Abraham and asked, “Where is Sarah your wife?” (Gen. 18:9). When Abraham explained that she was in her tent, God said through the angel, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son” (v. 10).
Sarah, who was listening from behind the tent door, laughed; the idea seemed incomprehensible. But God’s response was adamant: “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return … and Sarah shall have a son” (v. 14).
Sarah chose to believe the Lord, and by faith “received strength to conceive seed” (Heb. 11:11). The word conceive means “to found, to produce, to lay a foundation.” When Sarah’s body was old, God produced within her the faith to lay the foundation of our covenant future in Christ.
I’m convinced we are going to see the passion of God rise up in His women of faith in the coming days, just as it did in Sarah. This is God’s time for passion to hit the female gender—a godly, holy passion that will cause the foundation of the future to come into being.
These are days of supernatural conception and birthing. All around the world, from one territory to another, a spiritual travail is falling upon the church. And women are in the forefront because they model conception, travail and birthing better than men.
I believe God is asking the same question He asked at Abraham’s tent, “Where are My Sarahs?” He is saying, “I want to conceive My purpose in this hour to bring forth My inheritance in the nations. I need Sarahs filled with faith who can conceive and give birth to this plan.”
Prepared for Victory
God also needs women who have been disciplined and prepared “for such a time as this” (Esth. 4:14). The word prepare means “to make or get ready, to put together, to produce a frame for a future building, to gird oneself for action.” Women who have been prepared by God will have the faith and boldness to overthrow the determined destruction of the enemy and lay the foundation for the future of the kingdom.
One of the greatest examples of godly preparation and ultimate victory is found in the book of Esther. Even though she was an adopted orphan, Esther experienced the favor of God through discipline and preparation and was used by the Lord to save an entire people. What an encouragement to women everywhere!
By receiving the spirit of adoption offered through the Lord Jesus Christ, any woman can be prepared for victory. Even if she has felt totally abandoned, the Lord can raise her up and prepare her for that special moment when He will use her for the advancement of His kingdom.
Esther 2:9-13 explains that 12 months of preparation were necessary before a woman could be presented to the king. That preparation consisted of two phases, one in which oil of myrrh was used and one in which beautiful perfumes were applied.
The myrrh represented endured bitterness that ultimately produced a beautiful fragrance. After six months of wearing oil of myrrh, the woman was then given perfumes and other beautifiers that would enhance her appeal to the king.
After this extensive preparation, Esther appeared before the king and found favor in his sight. Soon she was exalted to the royal position of queen.
Today, women of faith can also gain great favor if they allow the anointing of God to rest upon them and the beauty of holiness to surround them. If pain, pressure and bitterness can be endured and transformed into the beautiful fragrance of Christ, women can have great influence in days ahead.
In fact, I believe we are now seeing a generation of women arise that exemplifies the character of Esther. Today godly, obedient, grace-filled women are being positioned to overthrow the enemies of the future!
