“He took Abram outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness” Genesis 14:5,6.
“He took Abram outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness” Genesis 14:5,6.
What a promise to this 75 year old Bedouin living in a tent! That somehow he and his wife – who were childless, would have a child – not only one child but a countless progeny to come! Breathtaking – but here we go!
Years passed and no child – 25 years in fact, while their bodies and reproductive potential continued to disappear. It seemed like a joke, so much so that Sarai laughed at the possibility. She even helped God along with her husband’s child through Hagar – big mistake! God had said to them: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen.18:14). But the gap between promise and fulfillment was so great!
Can you relate to this? Promises claimed: ‘ask and you shall receive; bring up a child in the way they should go; confess your sin one to another that you may be healed; they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength’ – those kinds of promises that sometimes we hold on to and don’t see answers even after a long time. What promise are you holding on to at this time – waiting and praying and looking for the answer?
We are creatures of time – as I sit in my car waiting for the train to cross, my short life is ticking away! I want the answer sooner than later! Why do I have to wait?
I understand that God is timeless – He exists in the eternal now. Yet God is also aware of our timely nature – He showed it through the life of the Son who was born and lived as we do. He is aware of our sense of urgency. In these struggles I try to keep two things in mind – God loves me and has my best in mind. A verse I have come back to again and again is I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you.” God knows what you need.
Pastor Leon Throness
We have been sickened by the rise of anti Semitism around the world and know that ultimately this is the work of Satan. I have agreed to attend and speak for a very few minutes at an upcoming event in Abbotsford. I would invite you as well.
The event will be held at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium at City Hall 32315 South Fraser Way in Abbotsford.
