Sunday, October 25, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Genesis 17:1–22
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.” Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God.”

God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. Both the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money must be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live in your sight!” God said, “No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year.” And when he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. (NRSV)

Reflection
Working in the Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center, I frequently encounter men and women who have experienced extreme struggles and obstacles that no human should ever have to endure: long-term unemployment, chronic pain, homelessness, isolation, and sometimes societal ridicule. My role is to listen and walk with individuals as they strive to overcome these challenges. I remember working with a particular EDSSC guest I knew from my previous employment. He had experienced homelessness for ten years, working with various agencies to find housing and employment, but gave up hope when promises fell short. A series of providential events led us to work together, and he was offered supportive housing within one month. 

During a follow-up visit, he shared how he knew God was testing him somehow, but he never truly gave up hope. He shared how he knew things would happen on God’s time, when God was ready to restore his own faith. He believed he had made mistakes throughout his life and had almost become complacent with experiencing homelessness on the streets of Chicago. He thought that was his only destiny. So when I shared that he would have his own place to call home, he thanked God countless times instantaneously.

Abraham maintained that same type of trust in God. Regardless of all the trials, obstacles, and sacrifices placed on Abraham and Sarah’s journey, Abraham remained a constant man of faith and obedience, certain that God was leading him through these struggles. Abraham was constantly tried and tested, but his obedience and faith in God was rewarded with a covenant of fruitfulness and joy for generations of his descendants.

Prayer
Dear God, allow me to remain a patient and obedient servant, especially when faced with the unknown trials and challenges placed on my life journey. Your blessings are abundant, and though I may not acknowledge their presence while in the eye of a storm, guide my heart and faith to perpetually persevere and seek your promised joy. Amen.

Written by Jackie Lorens, Director, Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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