Today's Scripture:

Genesis 17:1-7 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 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.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
In Genesis 17:1-7, God appears to Abram when He is 99 years old, promising to multiply him greatly if he would walk before Him blamelessly. As he humbly listens, God not only changes his name to Abraham—a name that reflects his God-given identity as a father of many nations—but promises to make an everlasting covenant with him and his descendants.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
In our world today, due to advances in technology we have options to optimize or correct self-images prior to sharing with others. We get someone to take “perfect” pictures in settings that perfectly capture what we intend—or we take selfies. I am especially fond of taking impromptu photos and selfies—much to the chagrin of my children. Because while I believe I take lovely photos, they would beg to differ. In one selfie taken a few years ago, I can be seen wearing a graphic T-shirt that reads “Never Give Up!” displayed in reverse. Selfies may sometimes tell an inaccurate mirror image story—until the image is technologically flipped to display it from the perspective of someone looking at us. In the first two verses of Genesis 17, the emphasis was on how God saw Abram, despite his age, and on what He promised He would do. God reminds Abram of who He is—God Almighty (El-Shaddai)—and asks that he walk before Him and be blameless (perfect). Walk and Be. God was in control not Abram. None of the promises to follow were going to be up to him. Abram’s name was flipped to Abraham reflecting God’s perspective and it was an image Abraham would share verbally with anyone asking his name going forwards. This would have constantly reminded him of who God said he was—as he waited. The words “I will” and “Shall be” jumped out at me repeatedly as I read. How reassuring it must have been for Abraham to hear God Speak with him, one on one, bringing hope for the days ahead. God’s power, God’s might, God’s provision—not in and of himself. God had a plan. During my personal walk with God I have found that challenging times seemed tougher when I have focused on things as seen from my perspective… areas over which I have little or no control. At such times I have had to intentionally flip the focus to God through reading His word, prayer, support from those He has lovingly placed in my life, and reminding myself that He is in control.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
In falling on his Face before God, Abram demonstrated humility and reverence in Worship. What a wonderful privilege we have to be able to worship God openly and to extend His love to others in the communities in which He has placed us.

About Grace Okoroji:
I work as an Informatics Analyst and I am on a journey towards full licensure as a counselor. My husband, Jerry, and I have been married for 31 years, and we have three children Victor-George, Janet and Emmanuel.
We joined Grace 22 years ago and have had family engagement opportunities to participate in Grace for the City, Friends of Westchase, and other outreach activities. I have served as a Stephen Minister since 2010.