And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness Genesis 15:6.
Above was a testimony of Abraham (known then as Abram) after having a personal conversation with God on his childlessness. God gave him (Abraham) several assurances to convince him that He is able to make him have not just a child but uncountable number of children. Genesis 15:5.
But what we found in chapter 16 of the book of Genesis was that Abraham decided to help himself on the advice of his wife Sarah (known then as Sarai). He impregnated the wife's maid and had a son by her. Again, we must remember that Abraham just returned from a time of personal conversation with God when he chose to impregnate the wife's maid. There could only be one explaination for why Abraham listened to his wife's advice - doubt! Yes Abraham doubted God - unbelievable? But that did not stop God to make him the father of faith as we call him today.
The action of Abraham cost him God's presence for good thirteen years (the difference between Gen. 16:16 and Genesis 17:1 is thirteen years). But when God returned to speak with him, his first statement was a command for perfection.
... the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Genesis 17:1.
God was basically telling Abraham that he is God and he needs absolute perfection from his followers, but the fact is that God gave Abraham the second chance. He gave him a new beginning!
What I am trying to tell you here is that Abraham had his own moment of doubting God and yet he eventually developed a relationship with God that warranted him being given the name "father of faith".
I do not know where you are in journey of faith, I do not know whether you are even presently in fallen state, yes you are in state where you consider yourself as having messed up big time. I want to tell you that Abraham had his own moment of messing up.
I am telling you though that you cannot afford to let your current "messed up" moment define your eventual legacy. If you are still breathing, there is a chance for a second chance. If you can still muster any word, there is a chance to still ask for God's forgiveness.
After Abraham's redemption - which actually led to his name being changed. He still had another good 76 years to perfect his works and walk with God. There are no records but I will guess that during those 76 years, he also had moments similar to what he had in chapter 16, but he is the "father of faith".
One strategy devil uses to take people permanently away from the presence of God is to convince them that one act of sin is all it takes for God to reject them - IT IS A BIG LIE! God does not condone sin but He also does not rejet sinners that still have opportunities to return to Him.
I cannot predict how much time you will have after reading this blog post (my very first on this platform). But I want to assume that you will have enough time to make ammend with your creator, I encourage to take advantage of the whatever moment you have now. It might be all you need for a new beginning that can define you for eternity!
Shallom!!!
Bro. Olufemi Nelson Fajolu.
If you have been blessed, please leave me a comment!
