He's Got This

            In Genesis 14, we see that God was keeping part of His promise to Abram, namely, that Abram was developing a great name, a great reputation.  The fact that Abram had 318 fighting men at his disposal is an indication of great wealth; the fact that he put the beatdown on four kings is equally impressive.  (Until the book of Kings, we should be a little careful with the word ‘king.’  We’re not talking Henry VIII of England or Louis XIV of France; ‘king’ in this period meant the ruler of a clan or of a city.  We might better translate ‘warlord.’)  Anyhow, Abram is rich, powerful, and famous.

            But that’s not the part of the promise that concerns Abram.  In a sense, that’s the easy one for God.  The hard part of the promise is the bit about descendants.  Abraham was, after all, 75 when the Lord first called him out of Haran—and Sarai, 10 years his junior, was 65.  Even in those days when lives were longer, that’s hardly the time when you look to begin a family!  And Abram is kind of freaking out about it; he worries that his man-servant Eliezer will be his only heir.  The story of John the Baptizer (Luke 3), which we read last weekend, comes to mind.  John says that God can make descendants of Abraham from stones.  Abram might think this is the hard part; God does not!

            The Lord assures Abram that he will have a son from his own body and descendants like the stars of the heavens.  And Abram took God at His word.  He believed Him despite the evidence, despite his own doubts.  That’s faith.  Hebrews 11:  “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (NIV Hebrews 11:1).

            I’ve often marveled how easy it is for us to get things turned around.  There’s a story about Jesus and a paralyzed man (Luke 5).  People are scandalized that Jesus dares to say that the man’s sins are forgiven, because only God can forgive sins.  Jesus asks, “What’s easier to say, ‘You are forgiven,’ or ‘You are healed’?”  His point is it’s easier to say, “You’re forgiven,” because no one could prove you wrong, whereas if the healing doesn’t work, everyone knows.  However, it is forgiveness that is actually the harder thing to accomplish because it will cost Jesus His life.  Forgiveness is the greater gift, and we don’t really think anything of it.  On the other hand, the other gifts—those we fret about.  It’s as if we sort of wave a hand and say, “Well, of course, God forgives my sins!  But these other problems of mine . . . I don’t know have a lot of confidence that He’ll work them out!”

            So, I’m trying today to take comfort in the angel Gabriel’s words to Mary, “Nothing is impossible with God.”  And I’m trying to do what Peter says and cast all my anxiety on Him (1 Peter 5:7).  I might think my problems are insurmountable, but He’s done the hardest stuff already and, on that basis, I can say, “He’s got this.”