Abram knew what it meant to wait. He was promised a child at 75. The child did not happen until 25 years later. In the process, Abram became old, made mistakes and just as he resigned himself, God made an appearance. Unbelievable! Laughable, yes, Sarah laughed. The long silence, broken, Abram became Abraham and Isaac came into the picture. Note the sequence, first a change of name/nature, then the promise personified.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. (Genesis 17:1-10)
Elizabeth and Zacharias were old. They were both God’s people, from priests’ lineage and were Godly. They were faithful and childless. Days ran into weeks, weeks into months and months into years. They resigned themselves so much so that when the angel showed up Zacharias, the priest could not believe (Luke 1:5-25).
Can you relate? Have you had to wait for anything? Does it feel like heaven is silent? Are you feeling like God is ignoring you? Do you know the frustration of running against the clock? Do you feel like your faith is being overstretched? How hard was it to wait? What do you do when you have done all you know to do?
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! (Philippians 4:1)
