Abram to Abraham: The Covenant of Circumcision

29 Oct Abram to Abraham: The Covenant of Circumcision

Posted at 12:03h in English Service by

Pastor Vincent - 19 March 2015

Seek The Lord While He May Be Found

At some points of our lives, we often come to a spiritual stupor- we find ourselves in a state of not seeking God, because He just feels so far away from us - remotely related to our feelings, needs, and critical situations we're in. It's easy to say a prayer of "Lord, please give me the strength and wisdom to face this episode...", but how often do we consciously seek God's voice in our situation and His perfect will (not our ways) after we've prayed? We often think that it's suffice - we've prayed, we've come to church, we've done something good to others, but through it all, do we seek to meet Him face to face, hear His advices and rebukes, and receives approvals and praises from Him? Have we stopped anticipating from Him? Or have we become disheartened because of the many unanswered prayers? God said, " as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields see for the sower and bread for the eater, So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." [Is 55:10-11] God is a God who keeps His covenant with His people. Today, regardless of how overwhelmed we are, He is still leading the entire history of mankind and you with His covenant, achieving His ultimate purpose here on earth. Let us not harden our hearts and continue on our rebellious ways. Turn to Him today, put to stop the fictional faith living we have and seek Him while He may be found. While the current thoughts, feelings and situations may seem real to you, God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, and His way is the one that truly set us free from our deadlocks. The presence of the Lord comes alive when you seek Him today, may we be the seeker of God in all things and at all times!

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Abram to Abraham:
The Covenant of Circumcision


In the midst of worldly busyness and distractions, it is not easy to keep remembering and trusting God’s promises. Thus, God often uses His word and our life events to remind us and help us confirm His promises. The best part of God’s covenant is a special relationship with Him, where He assures us, saying, “I will be your God.” While it is wonderful to have God on our side, such covenantal relationship with God also implies certain obligations we have toward Him. This change of identity should also change our perspective such that we live in a way which is fitting with His grace of salvation. 
 Verses to read:
<Genesis 17:1-23>

1. Change of name (identity)

  • v5: Abram (“exalted father”) >>> Abraham: (“father of many”)
  • v15: Sarai >>> Sarah
  • Name affects a person
  • Name shapes perspective and behaviour
  • Changed names so can remember and dispel unbelief
  • After name change: God’s perspective >>> our fixed perspective
  • Forget old name, register new name, and live in a fitting way

2. God’s covenant also involves man’s obedience

1) “Walk before me faithfully and be blameless” <v1>

  • Walk before God, not man, nor self
  • Man sins due to very low view of God
  • Remember that God is Almighty <v1> >>> Trust and fear Him

2) Sign of covenant: Circumcision

  • Outward sign of inward faith
  • Reminder of obligations to God
  • Similar to New Testament baptism
  • Put away old self
  • Be set apart
  • Circumcision of the heart more important:
    <Deut 10:16> “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.”
  • Irreversible: Permanent bond between God and His people

3) Obey promptly

  • <Genesis 17:26> Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day.

4) Do not let doubts hinder obedience

  • Don’t trust our doubts more than we trust God!

5) God demands total commitment

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Preacher Hui Jun
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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.

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