The Thread: Part IISample

Name Changes and Promises

In today’s passage, God spoke to Abraham about his wife's significant name change: from Sarai (meaning "princess," as in one of many) to Sarah (meaning "the princess" and the mother of a multitude).

However, this passage concerns much more than just a prophetic name change. Watch how this passage speaks to the common human tendency to want God's blessing on human efforts rather than trusting God's promises and cooperating by doing things his way.

Upon hearing God's promise of Isaac, which seemed impossible in the natural, Abraham tried to figure it all out. His laughter was not a reflection of doubt so much as it was his being overwhelmed with gladness and wonder. Jesus would say centuries later, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad" (John 8:56). There was no day recorded in Scripture wherein Abraham rejoiced more than when God told him about this son of promise.

God's covenant blessing is always received by faith. Post-resurrection believers receive the blessing when we believe in the ultimate "Son of Promise," Jesus Christ, who came in the past, is presently with you, and will come again. Abraham begged God to bless his fleshly effort for a son (this resulted in Ishmael's birth), but God's best was when Abraham lived by faith.

Abraham agreed to circumcision to demonstrate his place in God's covenant friendship that would produce Isaac and a nation of numerous descendants. This physical act is symbolized by the heart decision modern believers make to set our lives apart as people of faith dedicated to God's purpose and family.

Question: Is your confidence in eternal life based on your own efforts to live a good life or on what God's Son did for you through his death and resurrection? Are you more apt to ask God to bless your ventures or yield your will to his plans?

Prayer: Ask God to teach you new powerful ways to think about yourself and him. Let the Holy Spirit show you areas where you are striving, doubting, or struggling, and let him fill you with the joy of trusting him completely.