Now to him who is able to do
IMMEASURABLY MORE
than all we ask or imagine…
EPHESIANS 3:20
God’s plans dwarf our puny plans. Surveying the whole playing field all at once, He orders our lives so that not only are his purposes fulfilled, we get written into the story of redemption. Knowing this in the head is one thing – living it out is entirely another matter.
Now 99 years old still no son, the God of encouragement appears to Abram one more time. And not only is the promise restated, but because Abram will eventually be the father of a multitude, he is renamed Abraham to reflect that truth. And then we see the “IMMEASURABLY MORE” side of God.
I will make you exceedingly fruitful, AND I will make you into nations, AND kings shall come from you.
AND I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
AND I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” GENESIS 17:6-8
God’s not through. The covenant between He and Abraham will require circumcision, and the instructions are clearly communicated. Sarai is changed to Sarah, so that like her husband, her name will reflect the blessing of her offspring.
Suddenly, all this is too much for Abraham, and he laughs. While it’s possibly a laugh of incredulity, his follow up question to God reveals much.
“Oh that Ishmael might live before you!”
GENESIS 17:18
Yes, he really asked that. But God presses on with his intentions.
“No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” GENESIS 17:19-21
There it is. 12 more months. The wait is almost over.
IMMEASURABLY MORE.
He’s still the same promise-keeping God, no matter how long the wait. Do you trust him?