Thursday 13 December 2007

Background

Abram (later renamed Abraham by God) is a successful man. Godhas singled him out to be the one through whom all nations will beblessed. He is wealthy, married to a beautiful wife, he has heldhis own with Pharaoh and recently rescued his nephew Lot, who hadbeen taken captive by local warring factions.

Yet despite all of this he is a man in crisis. He could notunderstand how the promise God had given him would be fulfilled ifhe had no children.

So, God takes him for a walk under the stars to look up andcontemplate life. Once again, God makes the covenant promise toAbram, even though at the time, Abram could neither see how itwould come to pass nor comprehend its enormity.

It was not easy for Abram and many times he tried to force God'shand. There were still bouts of disbelief and doubt where hequestioned whether he had made the whole thing up. But the storyfinished well for Abram and his promise of descendents wasfulfilled. We are the heirs of the events on that starrynight.

For every Christian, like for Abram, the way of the Lord oftenseems unclear and at times impossible. Sometimes we cling topromises that we know in our hearts to be true but it is immenselydifficult to wait for their fulfilment.

To Ponder

What promises has God given to you?

Have they been fulfilled or is that still tocome?

If the weather is fine (and the sky is clear)find an opportunity to take a walk under the stars and listen toGod.