Quiet Time Coaching Episode 287
Would you like to learn more about faith? You’ve come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called “Adventures in faith with Abraham”. It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 30
Today we finish chapter 17
“On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.” (Genesis 17:23–27 NIV11)
What are we seeing here? A well developed spiritual character in action.
Abraham is quick to respond. He gets on with things “on that very day”. Not only is he urgent, but he is thorough. He circumcised “all” and “every” man. It is not often that urgency and thoroughness go together. Abraham in this area, like so many, is uncommon.
Why is he so balanced? We can only attribute it to his relationship with God. He does all he does because, “God told him”.
Devotional thought for today
Hesitancy is not part of spiritual character. We shall see this illustrated in dramatic fashion in Genesis 19 with the wife of Lot.
The person I’m reminded of is Zacchaeus.
“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”” (Luke 19:8 NIV11)
He was urgent and thorough – going beyond what was expected of him. He acted, “here and now”.
Is there an area of your spiritual life where you are currently hampered by hesitancy? Is there an apology to make to someone you lead or live with? Are you putting off confessing sin? Are you delaying offering forgiveness towards someone? Are you holding back from serving someone that God has put into your life?
Resolve to be both urgent and thorough.
Prayer point for today
Ask God to help you take action and complete what he has given you to do.
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let’s allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
