Genesis 17:1-8

In learning to walk by faith, there is often a time in our lives when faith is tested by a prolonged trial.  It may go on for weeks or months or years.  We pray, asking the Lord to remedy the situation.  Yet the situation is not resolved.  We come to the place where we may begin to doubt God’s faithfulness.  Will He keep His word?  Can He keep His word?

We do not know all that Abram is thinking in the thirteen years between Ch. 16 and Ch. 17.  It appears that during this time God has not spoken to Abram.  These years of silence follow a time of weakness for Abram in the matter with Hagar.  It’s probably not a stretch for us to imagine that Abram may have begun to doubt that God would fulfill His promise; that, justifiably so, God’s plan was forever altered by the entrance of Ishmael into the picture.

Such is the mindset of lengthy trials.  We may at first be angry at God at His seeming delay.  Then we blame ourselves, concluding that God is right to pull the plug on the wonderful plan He once had for us.  Likely Moses had these thoughts after he had killed the Egyptian and hid from Pharaoh for 40 years.  So did Peter after he denied Christ.  But in each situation God came to them in grace to reaffirm His plan.  We see the same here with Abram.

Pay careful attention to God’s words.  He reaffirms His covenant with Abraham (v3b-8).  It is the same covenant He made in 12:1-3 and in 15:7-21.  This is not plan B.  God’s covenant is unconditional.  The new name Abraham (father of many nations) indicates that God’s plan has, and in fact always had, room for Ishmael.

But fundamental to this reaffirmation are the words of vs.1: “I (am) Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless.”  God again reveals Himself in a new Name.  Almighty God (El Shaddai, God Who is sufficient) demonstrates that He is able to do what He said.  Our failures do not put God in an impossible situation as if He were making things up as events unfold.  He is, and always is, the God Who is enough.  Abraham still does not have the promised son.  He must understand and live in a way that shows trust in God to do what He has said He would do.

In your lengthy trial the greatest blessing is to come to know God in truth.  He is Almighty God.  He can, and He will, keep His word.