The word "hard" is pala, and is rendered "wonderful", "marvel", and the like. It is used

of the plagues of Egypt and the future day of restoration (Psa. 78: 12; Zech. 8: 6);

it is associated with the wonder of child-birth (Psa. 139: 14, 15); it enters into the

name of the Angel who appeared to Samson's mother (Judg. 13: 18), and above all in the

name of that "Child born and Son given" of whom Isaac was but a type--"His name shall

be called Wonderful" (Isa. 9: 6). Is anything too wonderful for the Lord of resurrection?

Have we not allowed ourselves to be robbed of a full apprehension of God's grace and

power by reason of the limits imposed by translation?  The word usually rendered

"miracle" is dunamis. This word occurs twice in Heb. 11:, viz., "Sarah received

strength, (11), and "quenched the violence of fire" (34). The only reference therefore to

God's power in this chapter has to do with resurrection. When Paul said: "That I may

know Him, and the power of His resurrection" he actually said, "the miracle of His

resurrection". Sarah knew this miracle, Abraham knew it, Jonah experienced it, and

Israel anticipated it (Hos. 6: 2). This miraculous power of resurrection lies behind every

promise of God, and however dark and apparently contrary to all reasonable expectation

the present path may be, faith (as in the trial of Abraham) goes on beyond even the power

of death, and believes in God Who quickeneth the dead.

When Abraham heard the call the first time, he obeyed and went out not knowing.

When he responded the second time, he obeyed, still not knowing, but assured that God

was faithful that promised. He obtained promises, he patiently endured, and could like

Paul say, "I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded". Sarah "judged Him

faithful Who had promised". Abraham "accounted Him able to raise up Isaac, even from

the dead". These are but variants of the same act of faith.

Members of the One Body too, have a promise to keep in mind, a promise made

before age times (Titus 1: 2), a promise sealed, for which an earnest has been given

(Eph. 1: 13), a promise which forms a precious feature of their peculiar calling

(Eph. 3: 6), a promise which likewise looks forward to the day of resurrection, the day

of redemption, for its fulfillment, and which they may anticipate as they walk in the

power that is to usward who believe, a power which is nothing short of the power of His