May 23

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The Promise of a Son

            After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”   But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”  And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.”  But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.”  He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”  And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:1-6

When Abraham was called to leave his land, he was obeying the Almighty Lord of the Universe.  We do not read about his concerns or his doubts.  God called him to do something and he did it.  This passage, however, comes after he led a military victory over a group of kings who had taken hostages, including his nephew Lot.  Abraham’s allies were eager to shower him with wealth and praise, but Abraham would not take any of it.  He wanted everyone to know that God had given Abraham his wealth; he did not owe any favors to any man or nation.

Instead of celebrating, Abraham goes off by himself and has a conversation with God.  There are times that Abraham and God have interactions that are incredibly tender and intimate.  This was one of those times.  Abraham did not need or want any more stuff.  What could God bless him with that he did not already have except a son to pass everything along to?  But he was already old and his wife was barren and having a baby was an impossibility.  The opportunity for children had long since passed.  God did not try to talk Abraham out of his moping.  He did not try reasoning with him and telling him that all things are possible for God.

Instead God led Abraham outside and had him look up at the sky.  Millions of stars shown in the night sky…too many to count.  God whispered into the old man’s ear.  You will have a son.  And your son will have a son.  And some day your descendants will be more than the stars.  God promised.  Abraham did not know how.  Abraham did not know where or why or when.  But he silently nodded his head and believed God.  He did not understand but he was willing to move forward on faith.

I never wanted to be a dad.  I never planned on being a dad.  I was terrified of being a dad.  Teenagers annoyed me and little kids scared me like nothing else.  They are so small and fragile and valuable that I was beyond certain that I could not be trusted to hold one without breaking it.  When we got married, my wife and I acknowledged that having a family would probably happen some day, but we were in no rush and had lots of other things that we were focused on.

Then God started speaking about fatherhood and families and children.  He showed up in my dreams and my prayer times.  He showed up when I was quiet and I heard Him inviting me into fatherhood and promising that this new adventure would be amazingly good.  And I believed Him.

This adventure has been amazing, if not always easy and peaceful.  There is nothing that has taught me more about myself and God and life than being a father.  I’ve learned to laugh and cry.  I’ve learned to fall asleep anywhere, any time for any duration.  I’ve learned to live in chaos and I’ve learned to live with one ear always attuned to what is going on with the littles.  I’ve learned about grace and patience and unconditional love.  I’ve learned so much and there is so much more to absorb.  I never would have come to this point if I had not said yes to God’s invitation and believed God’s promise.

The passage ends by saying that Abraham believed God and it was taken as righteousness.  Abraham was in a right relationship with God because he believed that what God said was true and would come to pass.  It sounds simple, but we fall short so often.  When we believe that we are alone and forgotten, we are not believing God when He says that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  When we are racked with worry and desperately grasping for control, we are not believing God when He called us to not worry.  When we are terrified and angry and questioning whether God is good or whether He cares, we forget the lesson of Jesus calming the storm and we do not believe God when He says that He, and He alone, is good.

A right relationship with God is simply hearing His voice, believing that what He says is true and responding accordingly.  Simple…but not easy.

A moment to reflect:

What has God said to you?  Is it true?