Has anyone ever come up to you and said “I’ve noticed that God helps you in everything you do?”
I haven’t been told that by anyone, but I’ve been asked why I smile or why I’m always positive (which isn’t always true). Then, the other day, I was asked here at work what was the key to my personal success. Immediately, I said “God!” I don’t think that’s the answer the person was expecting (especially for the report they were putting together), but I went on to give examples of how God had helped me in answer to various prayers.
Well, others noticed God’s involvement in Abraham’s life and Abraham responded by worshipping God in a new way!
Genesis 21:22-24 and 31-34 22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.” 24 Abraham said, “I swear it.”… 31 So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there. 32 After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.
This is the first instance in the Bible where God is referred to as “Eternal.” I wonder if that was a new revelation to Abraham at this time. Abraham could have praised God for being faithful, personal, timely, a protector, helper, gracious, forgiving, etc. Maybe Abraham was distinguishing the true God, the Eternal God, from all the man-made gods of those around him. Or, maybe Abraham recognized that no matter what happened in this life, the only constant was God Himself. Abraham owed all his successes and blessings to the Eternal Creator of all!
I haven’t been told that by anyone, but I’ve been asked why I smile or why I’m always positive (which isn’t always true). Then, the other day, I was asked here at work what was the key to my personal success. Immediately, I said “God!” I don’t think that’s the answer the person was expecting (especially for the report they were putting together), but I went on to give examples of how God had helped me in answer to various prayers.
Well, others noticed God’s involvement in Abraham’s life and Abraham responded by worshipping God in a new way!
Genesis 21:22-24 and 31-34 22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.” 24 Abraham said, “I swear it.”… 31 So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there. 32 After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.
This is the first instance in the Bible where God is referred to as “Eternal.” I wonder if that was a new revelation to Abraham at this time. Abraham could have praised God for being faithful, personal, timely, a protector, helper, gracious, forgiving, etc. Maybe Abraham was distinguishing the true God, the Eternal God, from all the man-made gods of those around him. Or, maybe Abraham recognized that no matter what happened in this life, the only constant was God Himself. Abraham owed all his successes and blessings to the Eternal Creator of all!
How will you give the true Eternal God credit for all your successes?
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