The Lord comes to us even when we don’t expect or recognize it. As our story begins, we are told it is the Lord, but I don’t think Abraham understood this immediately. Abraham knew there was something different about these three visitors, but as the visit progressed, he realized that it was a visit from …
God’s words demonstrate the connection between faith and obedience in many ways. One example is the story of Abraham, where God instructed him to circumcise all the males in his household. We read in Genesis 17: 10 This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised. 11 You …
When God has a future, don’t hang onto the past. God told Abraham that even though he and Sarah were old, they would have a child. Abraham laughed at the thought and then asked about Ishmael. Genesis 17:18 So, Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!” [1] Understandably, Abraham was concerned about …
Circumcision was a sign of the Covenant. Genesis 17: 10 This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised…13 All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.” [1] God’s covenant promised Abraham many descendants and the land of Canaan to these descendants. …
When the Lord spoke to Abram, he received covenant promises of God’s unchanging faithfulness. God had promised Abram an heir, but as he and Sarai grew older, having the child of the promise seemed impossible. During this time of doubt, God reminded Abram of His faithfulness. Genesis 17:2 I will make a covenant with you, by …
Genesis 17:1When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.[1] Imagine yourself in the sandals of Abram as you hear these words from the Lord. When Abram was 75, God called him out of Haran. God promised to bless …
God’s unwavering faithfulness to His children is a profound treasure of His love. This steadfast faithfulness is shown in God’s covenant with Abram. Genesis 15:17 After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. 18 So the Lord made a covenant with …
Abram learned to never abandon your altar as he returned to the promised land. He had worshiped God by building altars everywhere he went. Yet, there is no record of an altar in Egypt. Abram’s move back to the altar by Bethel symbolized a retreat from fear towards faith. Genesis 13: So Abram left Egypt …
From trusting to scheming is the story of Abram in this week’s text. Genesis 12:10 At that time, a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner.[1] Throughout our faith journey, the Lord tests us to reveal what is in our hearts to help …
As Abram leaves the promised land to go to Egypt during a famine, we want to tell him: don’t run from the test. God had just made several fantastic promises to Abram. Genesis 12: 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a …