We see in these verses the great kindness of God that seemingly ignores the failures of the men and women of faith as they seem to be overlooked completely. Mention is made only of the obedience and patience that has characterized them as among the faithful. There were times where these great people of faith were dominated by fear, other times there was friction, and sometimes they gave way to frustration. But these shortcomings are here ignored. This is evident with most of them, if not all, but it may be especially noted in the case of Sarah. Sarah was brought to faith through the faithfulness of Jehovah: “She counted him faithful who had promised.” By faith she received strength to bear the promised son at the appointed time. She trusted Him who possessed the right and the power to give them seed, though it seemed humanly impossible. It is an encouragement to us to believe God when natural circumstances seem to indicate otherwise.