He Keeps His Promises

Abram was 75years old when he left Haran for the land that God would show Him.

I don’t know many 75-year old men, but I imagine they don’t travel to a new place to start a new life at that age. I think by then they would be settled in a country home at best, enjoying nature and receiving visitors. But God called Abram out with a promise that He would give him lots of children and make his name great, so like the senile old man he must have seemed to his relatives, Abram set out.

Fast forward 24 years later, Abram (now Abraham) is 99. He has been through many battles and life-changing experiences. He now has a son, but God tells Him that’s not the promised son; the promised one will come through his aged wife. And that’s not all; Abraham has to be circumcised, together with his entire family. Now remember Abraham, is 99. Not 99 days, 99 years old, but he did it all the same.

Honestly, at this point I might have given up. I might have called out this guy in the sky with his hopeless promises and impossible requirements. I might have left everything to Ishmael and died peacefully, but Abraham didn’t. He believed and obeyed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

Fast forward a few more years and Isaac is born. Through Sarah.

I can only imagine how they both felt. At last! Their own flesh and blood, offspring of father and mother, born not adopted, child of their old age, promised of God.

Indeed I can only imagine, as can you. And we will always be spectators until we step into the ring. It was a worthy experience for them both because they played their parts: they were faithful to the end.

God has given us exceeding great and precious promises, and He intends to keep them. But we will only watch others reap those promises unless we claim them, with their attendant requirements.

God’s goodness binds Him to His word. He cannot fail. Whatever He says, He will do. But we will only be beneficiaries if we are partakers entirely: partakers of His righteousness and faithfulness, as well as His fullness and glory.