There are times when life feels like a storm. We may face pressures that make us wonder if it is worth continuing to serve, trust, and obey God. But faithfulness is not determined by how calm the circumstances are around us. Faithfulness is a deliberate choice to keep doing what God has called us to do regardless of the circumstances. We must make the deliberate choice to remain faithful to God.
After a person has run ahead of God, and made a mess, they can become either very bitter or very ready to listen. 13 years have passed since Genesis 16:18. Abram is now 99 years old, Ishmael is 13 years old, Sarai is 89, and God chooses to reaffirm his promises. Notice that the promises of God all depend heavily on God’s faithfulness, not on Abram’s performance.
Abram was a man of faith, but he also struggled with fear from time to time. He had just finished a war with 4 powerful eastern kings. Will those kings come after him for revenge? Has he just made some very powerful enemies? Did he just do a foolish thing in refusing more wealth? Look here at God's solution to Abram's struggles with fear.
Abram faced something even greater. He didn't have a blueprint, a map, or a timetable. All he had was the word of God! What an amazing picture of Abram’s faith in God! Abram obeyed God with a huge step of faith and trusting the promises of God. Can you see how this is an incredibly powerful and encouraging section of scripture? Stop for a moment and rehearse these 6 comforting promises.
The plans of man are no match for the will of God. God will not be mocked, and He cannot be out maneuvered. God disrupts their plans of recognition and significance with confusing their language. Did you see what the outcome of this Divine act was? The people scattered (11:8-9). The people finally did what God commanded them to do in Genesis 9:1.
