I have heartily enjoyed singing the children’s song, “Father Abraham”, in years gone by but I have now attained the age where I am tempted to sit on the bench. It is a strenuous endeavor indeed and demands not a little coordination. There should probably be a requirement for a doctor’s approval for anyone engaging in that activity.
The life of Abraham is a precious study for Christians. He is our father in the faith as Paul makes clear when he refers to God’s promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations (Gen 17:5) in Romans 4:18-21.
In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
When I reflect on the promise that God made to Abraham that he and Sarah would have a child in their old age I recently tried putting myself in Abraham’s shoes. That promise was met by laughter from Abraham (Gen 17:17) and Sarah (Gen 18:13), and I try to imagine my reaction to a promise like that by substituting a sporting analogy.
Born and raised just outside Manchester, England, I am still a huge football (soccer) fan and Manchester United is still my favorite team, though the love of money has greatly tarnished that sport. I run through a scene in my mind where God approaches me and says, “Barry, get your kit and head over to Old Trafford. You are playing for Man U. in the UEFA Champions Cup game against Real Madrid.”
I, of course, am in disbelief and would find it hard not to laugh but after I finished laughing guess what I would be doing? I would be looking for my football boots!
This is the lesson we learn from Abraham as we seek to grow in faith. Faith can be the challenge of persevering in doing what is right over long periods of time. It also can be the challenge of doing what is seemingly impossible, whenever God asks us to.
Maybe He will even ask me to get up and sing “Father Abraham”!
I do know that if we trust God, we will score the winning goal.
Arthur Barry