Another year has passed and a new one lies ahead.

What will it bring? What will we experience, if we may live, in the months, weeks and days ahead? Such questions arise in our minds, often accompanied with anxieties and fears. What will happen in the world at large, in our own country, and, last but not least, in the church? And what about our families and friends? To all these questions we have no answers. We are creatures of time, and what time will bring in the future is always hidden from us. But we have God’s Word with its rich promises. I am thinking of what God said to Abraham.

And when Abram was ninety–nine years old the Lord appeared to him and said, I am God Almighty, walk before me and be blameless (Genesis 17:1).

The Bible contains all kinds of promises, rich promises of God to His people. By these promises we must live, walking in the way of obedience. That’s what the song, “Trust and Obey” tries to tell us. Perhaps no one in history knew more about living by promises than Abraham. That already began when he was called to leave his hometown, Ur. The Lord would show him a land where he should go. At that time Abram and Sarah were 75 and 65 years old, respectively. The Lord also promised them descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. This meant much to them especially because they didn’t have any children. From time to time the Lord re-affirmed those promises, expecting them always to believe them and to patiently wait for their fulfillment. Time passed. Twenty–four years passed by and still there were no children. By this time they were old people no longer able to have children.

Twice, Abram seemed to have attempted a solution to the problem. We get the impression that Abram tried to “help the Lord a little.” His first “solution” to the problem was to adopt his trustworthy servant, Eliezer, to be his son. Then his children could “officially” be considered children of Abram. But the Lord said, “No, Abram, your seed must come from you, it must be born of you.” So Abram and Sarah continued to wait. Nothing happened. But the promise stood. The second suggestion of help on Abram’s part was to get another wife, and father a child with her. This child would definitely be his seed, and blood. Again God’s reply was a negative one because the promised child was to be born of Abram and Sarah. And now, when Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord said to him, I am God Almighty, walk before me and be blameless.

Notice that it was the Lord (Jehovah in some of the Bible versions) who appeared to Him. That is God’s covenant name. It means that He is the “I am that I am,” the always faithful one. He says, I am Almighty. There is no limit to His power. With Him there are no problems and no impossibilities. Of course, this also implies that He is the God of miracles.

Because of this great truth and the promises made to Abram, the words follow: “Walk before me and be blameless” (“perfect” in some other translations). The meaning is clear. “Walking before God” is an expressive description of the believer’s living in the very presence of God. The Lord’s eyes are upon him. In this connection it means that Abram must live confiding in God’s promises and walk in the way of love. That he must do this “perfectly” does not mean in moral perfection. Here the word “perfect” or blameless likely has the idea of being complete in every part. No vital feature of Abraham’s life must be excluded from this kind of dedication. In all of his life he must trust and obey this Faithful God, who is also the Almighty One.

In a general sense these words of God to Abram apply to the Lord‘s people in all circumstances and at all times. They speak to us in the year that lies ahead.

What will this year bring to us? What is in store for us, for the world, for our country, for the church and for us as families and individuals? God only knows. And not only does he know it all, He also controls it all.

Thinking of our country, we reflect upon the prevailing economic conditions. Is the end of the recession around the corner? There is the terribly immoral condition of our country. All one has to do to see that is watch a few especially late T.V. programs and/or see what is available on the shelves in book stores. Beyond any doubt, we are becoming ripe for judgment. (What a calling the church has to face this problem). We think of the general lethargy of the church, while the words of the O.T. prophet are echoing throughout the church world, “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion.” Can it be that we are already living in the age of the “lawless one” and that the Antichrist is already here? The prevalent conditions often make us fearful and anxious, especially when we think of our children and grandchildren.

These words of God to Abram speak to the church. The faithful covenant God (Jahweh) says to the people of God, “I am God Almighty.” He will be the faithful God for His people, faithful in His love and promises in Christ, faithful in giving to His children what they need, and more. Recall the promise that “goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives,” the promise that He “will not withhold one good thing from them that walk uprightly,” the promise that He will always give His grace and Holy Spirit to those who seek, ask and knock. His promises extend so far that not one hair falls from our heads without the will of our heavenly Father. And let us not forget that great promise of Romans 8, that all things work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to His purpose. Promises of people are cheap, and often mean little. But God never gives promises that He doesn’t keep. He is God Almighty. What a combination, a God of love who promises, and almighty in power, so that He can fulfill what He promises.

What follows for Abram also applies to us. This God wants us, too, to walk before him and be blameless. He wants us to live conscious of His presence. He wants us to believe these promises of grace in Christ, to trust in them and to love Him. Here the Scriptures touch upon a very important part of our Christian living and a very important lack in our Christianity. The promises exist, but we must admit our lack of true faith and love. Why is the church usually weak in spiritual strength and dedication? Why is there so little real Christian love, firm confidence, and whole-hearted commitment? We may never blame God for it. Why, when we leave church every Sunday with the promise of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit in the benediction, do we throughout the week experience little of its fulfillment? The fact is that we don’t take these promises with us as we should and we don’t sincerely pray for their fulfillment. “Open your mouth” says the Lord, “and I will fill it” (Ps. 81). We don’t open our mouths enough, and ask Him for His blessings. I am convinced that one reason for charismatic movement’s inroads into our circles is that we are too lethargic and complacent.

Christian friends, take these words spoken to Abram to heart. Listen to them carefully as God also says to you, “I am God almighty, walk before me and be blameless.” Let these words come to mind and heart as you face special difficulties in the coming year. Then you will be blessed.

In that context I wish you a blessed new year!