KEY TEXT: Genesis 17:1 (KJV) – “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect.”
The verse starts by mentioning Abraham’s age. “When Abraham was ninety-nine years old.” In other words, it says that Abraham was very old, beyond the age of giving birth. God appeared to him when he had one year left to be one century old.
The Lord appeared to Abraham at an age when many felt they had finished living their lives and were awaiting death. Numerous people, once they reach that age, are tired of living. Some believe that once they reach that age, there is nothing left to do, nothing else to live for, and all they have remaining is death.
Ninety-nine years is an age which, when blessed by God to reach it, one may be in a position whereby they have no age mates that they know of because all their friends and age mates have died since very few people live to see 99.
God started by telling Abraham who He is. He started by assuring Abraham of the power He possesses when He said, “I am the Almighty God.” We can parallel this verse to Exodus 20:2, when He says, “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”
You may have reached a point where all hope is lost, you have waited for good things to show up, and nothing is happening. You have prayed endlessly without ceasing, served God wholeheartedly, and you feel like God has forsaken you. That is when God steps in and surprises you. He steps into your life and tells you, “I am the Almighty God.”
The angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and told her in Luke 1:36-37 (KJV) – “36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). With yourself, your friends, your relatives, and even the most intelligent and richest people on earth, a lot is impossible. With God, nothing is impossible.
Pastor Randy Skeete says, “Abraham’s wife couldn’t have children, Isaac’s wife couldn’t have children, Jacob’s favorite wife couldn’t have children. God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is a God of those who trust Him in the face of impossibility.”
After telling Abraham that He possesses infinite power, God gives Abraham a commandment. The same applies in Exodus 20:2. After telling the Israelites of His power, He gives them the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:2-3 (KJV) – “2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Genesis 17:1 says, “I am the Almighty God walk before Me and be thou perfect.’
God reminds Abraham of who He is and of His infinite power. God loves reminding us because humans forget so easily. We may go to church today, listen to the Word and feel convicted, but after you’ve left, you forget all that was said and go back to sin. God may have rescued you from tough situations then when it reaches a time when trouble kicks in, you forget all miracles that God previously did in your life and begin doubting Him.
Thomas had walked with Jesus all His life. He had the privilege of experiencing Jesus physically and witnessing Him perform numerous miracles, including raising people from the dead. But when Jesus appeared to them after rising from death, he still doubted that it was Him.
Abraham had walked with God too. However, in the previous chapter, chapter 16, he had forgotten all God had done for him. As a result of losing trust in God, he took his maid Haggar instead of waiting for God to deliver the true son of promise that was supposed to be from his first wife, Sarah.
Exodus 20:8 (KJV) – “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
“The Sabbath is not introduced as a new institution but as having been founded at creation. It is to be remembered and observed as the memorial of the Creator’s work. Pointing to God as the Maker of the heavens and the earth, it distinguishes the true God from all false gods. All who keep the seventh day signify by this act that they are worshipers of Jehovah. Thus the Sabbath is the sign of man’s allegiance to God as long as there are any upon the earth to serve Him. The fourth commandment is the only one of all the ten in which are found both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It is the only one that shows by whose authority the law is given. Thus it contains the seal of God, affixed to His law as evidence of its authenticity and binding force.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 307.2, Ellen G. White.
“Our heavenly Father desires through the observance of the Sabbath to preserve among men a knowledge of Himself. He desires that the Sabbath shall direct our minds to Him as the true and living God, and that through knowing Him we may have life and peace.” – Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, Ellen G. White.
The Sabbath commandment starts with the word remember. God should be our sole focus on Sabbath because the Sabbath is His, not ours. As we remember the Sabbath during the week, God needs to be at the top of our minds. In our daily walk with God, we must remember that God has infinite power. If we have that at the top of our minds, we will not sin because, most times, sin comes from a failure to trust in God.
MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, When all hope seems lost, remind me that You are the Almighty God. Just as You appeared to Abraham at ninety-nine, show me that nothing is impossible for You. Strengthen my faith when I am weary, and help me walk before You in trust and obedience. Thank You for Your promises and Your infinite power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity
- Take a piece of paper and write down three situations in your life that seem impossible or hopeless.
- Next to each, write “But with God, nothing is impossible” (Luke 1:37).
- Place the paper where you can see it daily as a reminder to trust in God’s power and faithfulness.
- Share this message with someone.
Author: Mark Alex
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