Obeying God is Responding to God

The Life of Abraham: Living Out God’s Story | Marked by Obedience
Bible Reference: Genesis 17:1-17

Day 34 | Marked by Obedience - Obeying God is Responding

“True obedience is us responding in action to what God told us promptly. ”

Gen 17:17-27
Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, give birth?” 18 So Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael were acceptable to you!”

19 But God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm my covenant with him as a permanent covenant for his future offspring. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father twelve tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But I will confirm my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.” 22 When he finished talking with him, God withdrew from Abraham.

23 So Abraham took his son Ishmael and those born in his household or purchased—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskin on that very day, just as God had said to him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised, 25 and his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised. 26 On that very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. 27 And all the men of his household—whether born in his household or purchased from a foreigner—were circumcised with him.

A 99 year old Abraham waited 24 years for God’s promise for his life. Upon God reminding him of His promise, Abraham was moved into an immediate response of obedience without delay. True obedience is us responding in action to what God told us promptly.  Has God asked you to obey in a certain area? Don’t delay.