God Almighty

Genesis 17: 1-8 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." 3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 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. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God."

After thirteen years of silence God appears before Abram in a new revelation and with a new name- God Almighty. His appearance and new revelation is an indication that Abram has learned from his recent bitter experience with Hagar and Ishmael. God says in effect, “You have been learning for thirteen years the total inadequacy of your own efforts through Ishmael. Now learn a new thing about me. I am God almighty. You have discovered by sad experience how futile your plans and efforts can be without me. Now learn how capable I am to do everything that I desire to do, whenever I desire to do it.”

In this new light from God came a new demand from God. “Walk before me and be perfect, wholehearted, and blameless. Because I am God almighty and I am all-sufficient to make you blameless. Walk before me, therefore, and be blameless.”

We are so constantly trying to please two masters, to please self and Christ. We are quite content to serve Christ, if we can also serve self at the same time. But God says, “This can no longer be permitted. You have come to the place where your dual allegiance can no longer be tolerated. Walk now before me, appropriating what I am, and be wholehearted, be wholly on my side, be mine!” This is Christ asserting his practical Lordship in our lives.

Lord, I see that You are God Almighty. Teach me to submit all that I am and all that I hope for to you. Amen.