Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
As Clear As Day
Today’s Verse:
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. ~Genesis 17:1
There are times in our life when things seem murky and unclear. However, we are greatly encouraged, strengthened, and renewed when we come to the place of keen understanding and that which was obscure becomes as clear as the day for us. Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. Through his self-will, obeying the voice of Sarai, and not having faith in God’s promise, he lived in a thirteen-year vacuum of the absence of a clear message from God. At age 99, the Lord came to him unannounced with a powerful revelation. Let’s see what happens when God gives us a revelation that is as clear as the day.
We see the appearance.
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram….” There was the certainty of the Lord’s appearance. Abram had the benefit of the Lord appearing to him many times before. He had no question that it was God Who appeared. There was the sweetness of the Lord’s appearance. Abram welcomed this wonderful appearance. Abram did not rush his time with the Lord, nor did the Lord with Abram. There was the sovereignty of the Lord’s appearance. The Lord came to Abram in a powerful manner. As in previous appearances, there was awe, fear, and reverence on Abram’s part. It was a relief and a holy jolt to Abram that the Lord appeared to him. Does the Lord’s appearance in your life seem missing? Would you welcome or be surprised at His appearance?
We see the announcement.
“...And said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” We see the revelation. The name Almighty God is “El Shaddai” in Hebrew. It incorporates the fact that God is all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-powerful. It is a name that states in unequivocal terms that God is always totally in control. It implies that God is all-sufficient in all His ways. Abram needed to hear that the Lord is Almighty God. We see the requirement. God told Abram to walk before Him. In other words, he needed to resume his walk with God. He needed to reestablish a close fellowship with God. Then, God told him, “Be thou perfect.” This did not mean Abram attained spiritual righteousness but that his heart was to be fixed on the Lord and not deviate. It was a message that he had a “second chance” in getting back on track with the Lord.
We see the acknowledgement.
“And Abram fell on his face….” Abram acknowledged God’s covenant on him and future generations. Abram was the start of a mighty nation. In fact, his name was changed to Abraham, which means the father of many nations. Abraham acknowledged God’s control. Once again, God reminded Abraham of the birth of a son. It had been 24 years since the first time God had told him this. Abraham laughed within himself about this son. However, God not only reminded him about the son, but He also told him that the son’s name would be Isaac and that the covenant would be given to Isaac as well. Abraham acknowledged through compliance. God set in motion that every Hebrew male that would be born would have to be circumcised. This differentiated the Hebrews from other nations. Even though it was painful and bloody, Abraham did not shirk from his responsibility but did as the Lord commanded immediately. Abraham’s acknowledgements indicated his faith in God’s Word. It indicated that the message of God for his life was as clear as the day. When God makes clear what He wants done in us, our response must be to submit and follow through. Let God show Himself strong to you, and as He does, you can fulfill what is required of you in faith and confidence.
Have a crystal-clear God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Judges 19-21
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