Genesis 17:1 – “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.’”
This is the fifth time God has appeared or spoken to Abraham concerning his future and his posterity. The first time we have record of it was twenty-four years earlier when Abraham (then called Abram) was seventy-five. He’s about to get a name change (how’s that for being set in your ways) and another promise. But before God says anything about the incredible way He intends to bless Abraham, He tells him to “walk before Me and be blameless.” There’s a connection between God’s blessing on our lives and how we live our lives. The word “blameless” in Hebrew means to be full of integrity and truth. God’s promise hinges on our “walk.”
At the end of today’s Old Testament One Year Bible reading there is another scripture that gives us a similar message. In Genesis chapter 18 verse 19 God says concerning Abraham, “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” When I read this today I thought there are two issues I need to pay close attention to. First, God wants to bring to me that which He has promised and also that which He desires to do in my life and on my behalf. Second, my ability to keep the way of the Lord and command my household to do the same is vital to His purposes for my life coming to pass. God’s promise keeping ability is attached to my word keeping ability.
May God bring to you this year everything He has promised and may you bring to Him everything He deserves. When the two meet something divinely combustible and provisional will transpire.