"When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I wil make my covenant between Me and You, and will multiply you exceedingly.' Then Abram fell on his face…"

INTRODUCTION

When we contrast Genesis 16:16 with our text we are confronted with at least thirteen (13) years of silence. He was 86 when Hagar bore Ishmael (16:16) and 99 when the LORD appeared to him (17:1). Even in the silence God speaks.

I. THE SILENCE OF MISCONCEPTION - Abram's silence seems to be the result of a misconception. Abram was experiencing the peace and joy of self-satisfaction. Jesus didn't come to satisfy Himself, but His Father. He has called us to do likewise. We are to deny ourself, take up His cross, and follow Him.
II. THE DESIRE OF MAN AND THE WILL OF GOD - God's purpose is greater than Abram's desire. Abram wanted a son, but God wanted the SEED. For thirteen years, Abram believed that his satisfaction was God's satisfaction. He failed to recognize that what pleased him DID NOT please God. God's objective was much larger than Abram's objective.
III. GOD THE DISTURBER - God appeared to Abram to disturb his self-centered peace and satisfaction. In verse two He alludes to the birth of Isaac, announced in verse 16, however, Abram's hear is set on Ishmael (17, 18).
IV. A FRESH REVELATION - God doesn't come first with a revelation of Abram's folly, but of Himself. He reveals Himself as El Shaddai, The Almighty God. It is in the revelation of God that we come to see our failure for what it is and God's provision for our recovery.
V. A NEW DIRECTIVE - God calls Abram to "walk before" Him and "be blameless." Abram is to live with an awareness of God's watchful care and in wholehearted devotion to Him.
VI. SUBMISSION AND WORSHIP - "Then Abram fell on his face" (3).

CONCLUSION
1. We need to focus on God and find our rest in Him, not in our Ishmael's.
2. We must ask ourselves the question, "Do I want God's perfect will or only that portion which satisfies me?"
3. We must acknowledge that satisfaction with the fruit of our efforts is the enemy of true fruitfulness/revival.
4. Are we praying for God's will to be done, or for God to help us accomplish our will.
5. We are God's servants, but He is not ours.

(C) copyright 1998 by Louis Bartet, all rights reserved.

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