Genesis 17:1-7,15,16, Romans 4:13-25
God promised Abraham some things that seemed impossible or at least unlikely. What were they?
A son. This was ridiculous. Abraham and Sarah both laughed at the idea. After all Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 90. How could a couple that old have a baby? Well, nothing is impossible for God and their laughter gave Isaac his name.
God told Abraham that he would have a whole lot of descendants – so many that they would be whole nations which would have kings to rule them. God wanted to help Abram and Sarai believe him so he changed their names to Abraham (ancestor of many nations) and Sarah (princess). And God promised that the nations of descendants would own the land where Abraham was living.
God promised to be Abraham’s personal God. God who made the universe and everything in it would relate personally with Abraham and his descendants.
Abraham did trust God to keep his promises. Even though they seemed incredible, Abraham knew that God was quite capable of doing all these things. Like wise we can trust God to keep the promises he’s made us.
Abraham and Sarah did have a son. They called him Isaac, a name that would constantly remind them of the circumstances of his birth.
Isaac had Jacob and Esau, Jacob had twelve sons and daughters too, and they had many, many descendants. They grew into the nation of Israel, which became two nations, each with its king. Abraham’s descendants eventually included the King of kings, Jesus. The nations of Abraham’s descendants don’t stop at Israel because everyone who trusts in God and has faith in Jesus the Christ is sharing in the family characteristic. As Paul points out in Galatians 3:7, ‘Those who believe are children of Abraham.’
God is the God of the world and cosmos yet he proved to be the God of Abraham. In the same way God is the creator, the God of the stars, yet he is my God and your God.
We need to have faith. Sometimes this is exciting and special and sometimes it is very ordinary. Throughout life, we trust in God Almighty as he guides us through the obstacles and challenges we face. Sometimes that may mean a lot of waiting, but Abraham knew all about that! He had to wait a very long time.
What is it like to be in a personal relationship with the living God? Donald Miller shared his thoughts on this this week and you can read them here.