January 6, 2024 - Genesis 15-17

“Abram said [to the Lord], ‘Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.’  And behold, the word of the Lord came to him:  ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir’” (15:3-4).  Here, and again in chapter 17, God reminds Abram of the covenant the Lord has made with him:  “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly’” (17:1-2).  This is not the first time God has explained things to Abram and made a sure and certain promise, and it will not be the last.

I suppose we are very much like Abram in that we often show signs of little faith and have to have God’s promises repeated time and time again.  It shouldn’t be that way.  I mean, have we ever found God to other than true to his word?  Have we ever found him to be unfaithful?  Has he ever promised and failed to fulfill that promise?  With Daniel ben Judah, surely, with certainty, we can sing:

The great I AM has sworn;

I on this oath depend.

I shall, on eagle wings upborne,

to heaven ascend.

I shall behold God’s face;

I shall God’s power adore,

and sing the wonders of God's grace

forevermore.   –Daniel ben Judah (14th century)