In Genesis 17 we find God making a covenant with Abraham. In this passage Abram and Sarai's names are changed to Abraham and Sarah. These names are reflective of who they are before the Lord and what God will be doing in their lives. Abraham (father of multitudes), Sarah (princess) and Isaac (he who laughs). Abraham and his whole household (the males) are circumcised as a sign of belief in the promises of God. Sarah gets pregnant (we know this from later stories) and bears a son (this is God keeping his promises).
And then over in Nehemiah 6 we read these words
15So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.The nations around Israel saw that the Jerusalem wall was rebuilt. This by a handful of Exiles and in the face of danger. The wall was rebuilt. God showed his love and concern for his people.
And then over in Acts 16 we read about how the Holy Spirit directed the actions of Paul and Timothy in the spreading and preaching of the gospel. We read about how the church was strengthened and numbers added daily. We read how they were prevented from speaking in Asia and were directed to Macedonia. There a demon-possessed girl was undemonized, a jailer and his family became believers, Lydia became a believer, and they had a chance to encourage other believers. This is God at work.
I just find it amazing watching the different ways that God "does his stuff". Things happen, promises are kept and lives are changed. All for the glory of God.
2 comments:
And what is amazing to me is...how long (sometimes) God does take to move to fulfill His promise! In this instance - it was a long, long, long time!
Indeed it was, just like it was a very time before his promise of a saviour came (and that was way back in Genesis).
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