# 136 As Many As Have the Faith of Abram

The Book of Genesis Day 136 Ge 17:4 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. This little verse, tucked away in the 17th chapter of Genesis, is a very important verse for Jew and Gentile alike, (it is God’s promise of salvation for “as many as the Lord our God will call.” Ac 2:39) The use of the word “behold” is always important in Scripture, because it reminds us to slow down and take in what is being said! God is speaking about what He is going to do in this covenant with Abram and He wants Abram to look at the fine print! First of all note the personal nature of the covenant. It is with Abram and nobody else. Such is God’s covenant with you! You and I , you don’t get to ride on the coattails of others. This treaty or pact of friendship is with Abram here and nobody else! It is exclusive, but in its exclusivity, we also find the clause that it is extended to Abram’s descendant’s forever as long as they hold up their part of the deal, and their part, (your part and my part) is to continue in the faith of Abram. This is spoken of in Ro 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, (the father of many nations including Gentiles!) He continues: “though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.” In other words, this covenant of God being a Father and we being His children, this covenant of Him being our Monarch and we being His subjects, this covenant of a personal relationship with Him, this covenant of forgiving our sins and being blameless in His sight is available to all who walk in the steps of the faith of Abram BEFORE he was circumcised! The faith is simply what has been stated in Gen 15:6, “Abram believed God and it was accounted to Him as righteousness.” This same covenant is restated in Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Believe this passage from Jn 3:16 and God’s covenant becomes personal to you, and it will be accounted to you as righteousness. Pray: Father, thank You for the gift of faith!