“For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; to the end that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Gen. 18:19
Susan the Psychic advertises on a sign in her front yard (only a few miles from my house). I imagine Ms. Susan looks into a crystal ball and tells an anxious client what they desperately want to hear. Not knowing their past, or truthfully their future, she claims to know all and tell all. How pathetic that desperation leads us as prey for such scams.
As I tarry through Scripture my jaw often drops. When God mobilizes doubting, sinful people to declare and carry out the future, I do a double take. How and why would He use someone who blows it royally, and on more than one occasion?
In Genesis 18, God declares having known Abraham, He finds him trustworthy enough to raise children who will follow the Lord and keep His commands. I mean Abraham had a sketchy track record in my estimation. He pawned off his wife for a one night stand (fortunately God recovered her in time) and succumbed to impregnating a servant after Sarah’s incessant nagging. “Isn’t it time to bring in a new quarterback?” I muse. But God sees past the blunders and into the heart. His heavenly view observed the many altars Abraham built and worshipped from. God heard the desperate pleas for a son, and watched the love and care for a wayward nephew. Abraham possessed a heart after God, yet took a few wrong turns along the way. Why do I, we, get fixated on other’s downfalls and desire for God to use someone else? No matter how often we drop the ball, we desire to be kept in the game – and God does. He keeps us in. Fumble after fumble. He kept Abraham in because He knew his heart. Divine confidence peers into the deepest places of each player and estimates their capability and ours. He knows we will do our best to stay in and score as much as possible.
We’ve all blown it. Don’t drop out of the game. God uses fumblers. He sees past stats and records. Let’s carry out the plays in front of us. God’s covering us on all sides. He declares the final victory.
Love this, Dawn!