January 7, 2026 - Genesis 15-17

Repetition.  What do they say?  Well, from the internet:

• “Repetition is the key to success.”

• “Repetition Is the Key to Learning."

• “Repetition is the Key to Mastery.”

• “Repetition is the key to deep learning.”

Here in chapter 15, God reaffirms for Abraham his promise.  Abraham and Sarah need that reaffirmation/repetition; they continually doubted God.  “Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’  And Abram said, ‘Behold, you have given me no offspring’” (15:2-3).  The Lord answered, “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir” (15:4).  After all, God had promised a son and, in his good timing, the son would be born even if Abraham doubted.  God continued by having Abraham look out over the land his descendants would possess, repeated the promise of a son, and Abraham “believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (15:6).  Well, he believed, at that time, but he and Sarah continued to waver even to the point of doubting God and taking things into their own hands with Hagar.  So, God repeated his promise, yet again:  “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations” (17:4).  Aren’t we so much like Abraham and Sarah, believing God but, in reality, just “sort of believing him.”  Perhaps our prayer, today, should mimic the plea of the father of the demon possessed child:  “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

Heal us, Emmanuel, hear our prayer;

we wait to feel thy touch;

deep-wounded souls to thee repair,

and Savior, we are such.

Our faith is feeble, we confess

we faintly trust thy word;

but wilt thou pity us the less?

Be that far from thee, Lord!

Remember him who once applied

with trembling for relief;

“Lord, I believe,” with tears he cried;

“O help my unbelief!”

She, too, who touched thee in the press

and healing virtue stole,

was answered, “Daughter, go in peace:

thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Like her, with hopes and fears we come

to touch thee if we may;

O send us not despairing home;

send none unhealed away.   –William Cowper (1779)