Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.
Commentary says that it has been 13 years since Abram had a visit from God (insofar as scripture tells us). Thirteen YEARS. Abram is now 99, and he has one son through his wife’s servant, but he has a promise from God that he will be the father of more descendants than stars in the sky.
Genesis 17:2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
I honestly cannot imagine. On the one hand, I have this promise from God–God!–that my descendants will be too numerous to count. On the other hand, I’m 99, and I have one child because my wife and I took matters into our own hands. I understand how Abram would question that promise. I get it. Jesus, Help me.
Genesis 17:3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,
Precious Savior, I know that Your thoughts are nothing like my thoughts, and Your ways are far beyond anything I could imagine (Is 55:8). I also know that Your timeline is not my own either. Forgive me when I doubt because things don’t happen in my timeline. Give me faith like Abram to believe Your promises, no matter the timeline. Help me to be faithful to You. Always. Amen.
Genesis 17:4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.
Have a blessed day.