Genesis 17 - That time Abraham laughed about something God said

Today we’re reading Genesis 17 from the New Living Translation.R.A.M.P. (READ-APPLY-MEDITATE-PRAY)READ: Here are some things that stood out to me. Abram was 99 years old when God appeared to him (vs 1).God identifies Himself by a new name - El Shaddai, which means “God Almighty” (vs1).God gives Abram a new name - Abraham - and again confirms His promise to make him the father of many nations (vs 4).God gives Abraham the mark of circumcision. God’s portion of the covenant was to give Abraham descendants and land (and eventually a Savior). Abraham’s portion of the covenant was to keep the covenant of circumcision (vs 9-14).God gives Sarai a new name - Sarah (vs 15).Abraham laughs to himself about the promise of he and Sarah having children when they were old (vs 17).God gives a name to their coming child - Isaac, which means “laughter” (vs 19).Abraham obeys quickly regarding circumcision (vs 23-27).APPLY:God can still speak to your heart whether you’re 9, or 99! He is “God Almighty” - and able to do things you can’t do. In fact, God had been preparing Abraham for a special task that he wouldn’t begin until he was 100 years old - becoming the father of Isaac.Perhaps what is most interesting to me in this chapter is that God gives Abraham terms to obey in this covenant - circumcision. This was a peculiar sign that would set Abraham’s descendants apart from all others in the world. Abraham practiced immediate obedience to “that very day.” Jesus said it in the gospel of John (chapter 14) - “If you love me, obey my teachings…” I wonder if this is why God chose Abraham from among all others. He had a heart of faith to follow the Almighty God - and courage to do whatever He asked.MEDITATE: Romans 4:11-13 - “Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous - even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised. Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.” PRAY: Jesus, give me the faith to obey quickly.