Times of waiting on God can be tricky.

In Genesis chapter 15 we see Abraham’s bright idea to help God by having a child with Hagar.  And then, in one of the saddest chapter of the Bible, we watch as his human solution plays out.  It’s not pretty.

When chapter 17 begins, 13 long years have passed.   I am sure God’s promise seemed a distant dream as each day Abraham watched his foolishness wreak havoc.

But then the Faithful One, the very author of the promise, speaks.

‘I am Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless.  And I will make my covenant between Me and you.’

And hope returns.

Almighty God, I am, Yahweh has spoken and He still has the full intention of doing everything He said He would.  His promises are irrevocable because He is the One who keeps them.

But He wants something from Abraham.  He wants Abraham to walk before Him.  The Hebrew word for the phrase, before Him, is the same word used for the presence of God that Adam and Eve hid from after they had sinned.

God the Creator wants to be known.

Can you wrap your head around that today?  This God we serve, who is working out His plans and purposes in the earth, isn’t some CEO of the universe who barks orders, directing His will from afar.  He longs we would know Him, know His heart and His presence every day of our lives.

It reminds me of  John 15.15 where Jesus says, ‘I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead, I call you friends for everything I learned from the Father I made known to you.’

Our God wants us to be part of what He is doing on earth.  He has places for us to go and things for us to do.  But first He wants a relationship.

And we need to know God in this way because just like Abraham, our human solutions often fall short at best.  At worst they cause pain and loss.  But the answer isn’t to live in fear of getting anything wrong or making silly decisions.

The answer is walking close to our Promise-giver God.   It takes humility but also confidence and boldness, believing that God will do everything He has promised in His perfect timing.

Are you waiting for God today?  Is there a promise you are believing for or a decision that needs to be made?

There is wisdom in being quiet enough and careful enough to hear God’s way of doing things.  And, there is safety in God’s promises and in His presence. 

Do what it takes to position yourself for both today.