The Abrahamic Covenant (2)

Optimism, Courage, and Faithfulness feed on high morale. The ability to push on, alone if necessary, requires clear vision. In order for goals to be reached, there has to be a stirring up from within, a spark that lights the fire of hope, telling us to “Get at it” when our minds are just about to convince us with “Aw, what’s the use?” It’s called motivation.

Coaches are good at this. (They better be. There’s a name for those who aren’t—unemployed.) We’ve all seen it happen. The team is getting stomped. They can’t get anything going during the entire first half. It’s like they’re playing with boxing gloves on. Rather than taking charge, they’re being charged.

But then—magic!

God Promised An Heir and A Lineage

Back in the locker room, away from the fans, the coach and team meet head-on. What results is nothing short of phenomenal. You’d swear that another bunch of athletes put on the same uniforms and played the victorious second half as they took charge and blew away their opponents. But these really are the same guys—or are they? They were transformed through the inspiration of a few minutes with one who is a master at building morale and clearing vision.

—Charles R. Swindoll, The Finishing Touch

Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1501 Other Stories (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2016), 399–400.

God Promised An Heir and A Lineage

Promise of a son, from Abram and Sarai. Righteous son, not one of desperation.

One son would lead to many descendants.

God’s Covenants Are Kept By God, Not Mankind.

Only God could do this!

See Abram’s age

See Sarai’s age

V. 17 - The Smoking Pot was Mesopotamian promise keeper.

God’s People are Strangers and Aliens in the World.

still enslaved to the flesh.

can resist the culture through the power of God.