Still Yes

Still Yes

Genesis 17:1; 10-12

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty…. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

When God came to Abram in Genesis 17, it wasn’t for the first time. Abram had received the promise of God when he was seventy five years old, but as of yet he had no son. Like so many of us, Abram tried to fulfill God promise by human manipulation, he and his wife pull Hagar into their anguish of unbelief, and the rest is history.

Yet Romans chapter 4 reports that Abraham didn’t stagger at the promise of God; that he was strong in faith. So what happened?

Genesis 17 was a turning point for Abram, because God revealed Himself to him as El-Shaddai.

Like many languages, Hebrew has gender attached to words. The name “El-Shaddai” literally means “The Many Breasted One”. The image is of a child nursing at her mother’s breast; of nourishment, comfort, security and rich supply.

Up to that point Abraham had only met the God of power, (ADONIA – The Sovereign Lord ) the one who was ready to speak to his sense of purpose, to stretch him to maximize his potential and draw out his greatness.

Yet, however much had been prophesied over him, he didn’t have the ability to lay hold of it because he lacked a sense of reassurance. He knew he didn’t deserve the fulfillment of such a great promise. He knew that God had seen how he had treated his wife with Abimelech and Pharaoh. He knew God had seen him with Hagar. How could he have confidence in God now?

And then God showed him His private affection and exclusive loyalty. Abram understood for the first time that God would do things for him that he did not deserve and the promises of God was not based on human reasoning nor human perfection. God assured Abram that He would do for him what no one else would do.

God let him know, “This isn’t a casual relationship. I will go to the death for you and there is nothing you can do to run me away.”

Right then Abram and his family were circumcised. A cut was made in a place so private that only the most intimate can see. Since God would give Him everything, Abram did not withhold anything in return.

What is it that has taken you 24 years? You have come up with plan B because of the passage of time, and now you feel you are too old. Hope has all but died.

You can have all that He is. He sees you where no one else sees you and He refuses to hold your sin against you. What can you lose by letting God deal with you most private issue, weaknesses and insecurities, it is call “Wholeness”, that is why Jesus died, to bring us into our fullness. The beauty of the gospel message is that when it is presented correctly, you will see that it deals with every area of shame.

I often tell people that if you are really serious about experiencing your “Yes”, in your dealings with El-Shaddai, put your worst foot forward. He can’t be impressed or disappointed. He already know what you need, you must admit what you need. He will help you with your weaknesses.

His answer to you is “Still Yes”.