Genesis 17 … Consider Him, God Almighty

Originally posted: 01/16/2019

Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty;” (17:1).

When the LORD had first called Abram to “Go forth from [his] country,” (Genesis 12:1), He gave no further elaboration about Himself. He said “Go forth…” “so Abram went forth” (Genesis 12:4). We see Abram following, and yes stumbling, but believing.

But now, after Abram and Sarai had become convinced God’s plan was humanly impossible and had taken matters into their own hands, the LORD appears and presents Himself as El Shaddai, God Almighty.

A new revelation of the LORD was needed. How faithful is God Almighty!

Consider Him, God Almighty!

God Almighty appeared to Abram and spoke. Again, we see Him as the initiator, (17:1).

God Almighty stated what He alone can and would do. In the twenty-one verses of this monologue directed at Abram, the LORD spoke the phrase, “I will” fourteen times. This was not a dialogue; Abram was the responder, not a contributor, (17:1-21).

God Almighty changed the names of Abram and Sarai, reflecting the reality of the transformation that occurs as a result of His Almighty presence and work, (17:5, 15).

God Almighty declared His promised intentions and blessings to Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants, (17:7-8, 16).

God Almighty gave His command to Abraham; every male would be circumcised as a sign of His covenant. This was not merely a suggestion, but an imperative meant to be obeyed, (17:9-11).

God Almighty provided all Abraham needed to know in order for him to believe and obey. “When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham,” (17:22).

How can we possibly respond to such a great God, revealing Himself as God Almighty?

• Let us approach Him in an attitude of reverence and awe; He is God Almighty. And let us always approach Him in faith. As we pick up our Bibles each day, we can confidently anticipate He will appear and speak in the pages of His Holy Word.
  • For the LORD gives wisdom;
    from His mouth come knowledge and understanding, (Proverbs 2:6).

• Let us accept His words. When we feel as though the situation is too tough to handle, in actuality we are in a great place. He does not ask us to contribute to His work by the works of our flesh, but only to believe in Him, God Almighty.
  • “For nothing will be impossible with God,” (Luke 1:37).

• Let us expect to be radically changed by the presence and work of God Almighty.
  • Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come, (2 Corinthians 5:17).

• Let us receive His promised blessings as we read His Word in faith, aligning our hearts to hear God Almighty speak to us of the overflow of spiritual blessings for every believer in Christ.
  • Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Ephesians 1:4).
    • (Read the rest of Ephesians 1 for a comprehensive, mind-blowing experience of His extravagant and lavish blessings!)

• When God Almighty speaks, let us purposely listen with the intent to obey.
  • But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves, (James 1:22).
  • Let us follow Abraham’s example. When we hear the Word of God Almighty, let us not delay but be quick to obey.
    • “then Abraham took…and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, [emphasis added] as God had said to him,” (17:23).

• And let us always trust that He provides exactly what we need; for He alone is God Almighty.
  • seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (2 Peter 1:3).

Oh, may we live in continual praise, ever mindful of the great and awesome God Almighty we have the profound privilege to know, serve, and love; for who else is like the Lord God Almighty?

Who is like the Lord our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
⁶ Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
⁷ He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the needy from the ash heap,
⁸ To make them sit with princes,
With the princes of His people.
⁹ He makes the barren woman abide in the house
As a joyful mother of children.
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 113:5-9).

Let’s Grow Together!