Second Sunday in Lent: Old Testament, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16                        

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

For some reason, whenever I read of Abram/Abraham I think, “This is it. This is the man who ‘got it.’” I am not sure why I think that way about him more than others. Perhaps it lies in the fact that we get to watch the movement of the Lord in Abraham from pagan to becoming one of our Lord’s great princes. And what movement it is. In our text today we are told Abram is ninety-nine years old. He gets a name change and as is so often the case in the Bible, a name change points to a life, or better, living change. The truth is both Abram and his dear wife both receive new names pointing to yes, their destiny. But more to it. What really is pointed to is God in the marvelous working out of human destiny-all hinging on this man made great by God’s gift of faith.

Centuries later, a son of Abraham will write, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Well hear he did. Abram that is. His name changed. His life and eternity changed. He and Sarai, now Abraham and Sarah received their little package, and Abraham stepped into his hundredth year knowing and trusting the voice of Him whose words are life.

Whatever our age and wherever Abraham’s God has placed us in this world, we have the very same words to hear that were given to Abraham. We are, in part, the fulfillment of the great promises given to him. We can trust their Source and step into tomorrow and every day He gives us with confidence.