Genesis 17:1-2 When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, "I am God Almighty. Live in My presence and be blameless. 2 I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you greatly." Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
My Old Testament devotional reading is currently in Genesis. As I read today's verses I still had in mind yesterday's verse from Luke two where it was said of Jesus that "he grew in stature and in favor with God and man." Abram had been called by God much earlier in life. Abram had followed, but still faced times where he'd resort to his own ways and his own means. It was actually after today's passage that Abraham truly grew in stature and favor with God.
In the coming chapters Abraham shows more faith than he ever did, right up to the point of being willing to sacrifice his son if that is what God truly called him to do. In that instance, God stepped in and provided a lamb so that Abraham would not have to do that. But the point was that from this point and in this covenant at the age of 99, Abraham made a change, followed God and obeyed God to "live entirely before me, live to the hilt!"
No matter where we are in life, when "God shows up" (The Message) we too can make that change, make that decision to follow him with the whatever it takes, whatever he calls me to do attitude. It won't be easy, challenges and trials will come our way, but if we follow, if we stay the course, God will bless us. Abraham found his satisfaction in God. John Piper states that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him". May that be the condition of our heart and not "I can't get no satisfaction" (The Rolling Stones).
I'm establishing my covenant between me and you, a covenant that includes your descendants, a covenant that goes on and on and on, a covenant that commits me to be your God and the God of your descendants. Genesis 17 The Message
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Genesis 17:1-8The Message (MSG)
17 1-2 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, God showed up and said to him, "I am The Strong God, live entirely before me, live to the hilt! I'll make a covenant between us and I'll give you a huge family."
3-8 Overwhelmed, Abram fell flat on his face.
Then God said to him, "This is my covenant with you: You'll be the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, meaning that 'I'm making you the father of many nations.' I'll make you a father of fathers—I'll make nations from you, kings will issue from you. I'm establishing my covenant between me and you, a covenant that includes your descendants, a covenant that goes on and on and on, a covenant that commits me to be your God and the God of your descendants. And I'm giving you and your descendants this land where you're now just camping, this whole country of Canaan, to own forever. And I'll be their God."
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