January 23. The Covenant That Changes Everything
Genesis 17:1–5 (ESV)
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.’ Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, ‘Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.’”
This story is a stunning reminder of God’s faithfulness and His call to walk with Him daily, not just in moments of need.
Read The Full Devotional Below.
A Covenant of Grace
Let’s start with the context. Abram—soon to be Abraham—was ninety-nine years old when God renewed His promise. Ninety-nine! By this point, he’d waited decades for the fulfillment of God’s promise to make him a father of nations. He wasn’t perfect in that waiting either. If you read earlier chapters, you’ll see his moments of doubt and decisions to take matters into his own hands, like having a child with Hagar. Yet, God didn’t revoke His covenant. Instead, He reaffirmed it, making it clear that the fulfillment didn’t depend on Abram’s perfection but on God’s unwavering grace.
Isn’t that how God deals with us? I’ll admit, I’ve had my share of “Hagar moments”—times when I tried to force God’s hand or doubted His timing. In those moments, I’ve learned that His covenant isn’t based on my faithfulness but on His. Just like He knew Abram’s flaws and failures, He knows ours, yet He remains steadfast.
Walking Before Him
God’s first instruction to Abram is profound: “Walk before me, and be blameless.” This isn’t about perfection; it’s about intimacy. To walk before God means to live in His presence, to share every moment with Him—the good, the bad, and even the ugly. For so long, I only walked with God in crisis. My pastor once asked me, “What kind of friendship would it be if I only called you when my life was falling apart?” That question stopped me in my tracks.
What would it feel like to have a friend who only reached out for help but never celebrated with you or shared in your joy? That’s exactly how I treated God. But here’s the incredible part: even then, He didn’t turn away. Just as God pursued Abram, He pursued me. He let me see the depth of His love and the joy of walking with Him daily, not just in desperation.
A New Name, A New Identity
In verse 5, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, signifying a new identity and destiny. This wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it was a declaration of who Abraham was in God’s eyes. Despite his doubts and missteps, God saw Abraham as the father of nations, the one through whom His promises would unfold.
God does the same for us. When I began to truly walk with Him, I realized He wasn’t just the God who rescues me from trouble. He’s the God who gives me a new identity—one rooted in His covenant love. I am not defined by my failures or the times I’ve treated Him like a genie. I am defined by His grace and His promises.
This is where it becomes deeply personal. The older I get, the more I feel this truth in my core. I don’t have to earn His love or prove my worth; His covenant assures me that He will always be there—to listen, to heal, and to guide.
The Covenant That Endures
Let’s pause to reflect on this covenant. It’s not a contract where both parties have to perform perfectly. It’s a promise rooted in God’s unchanging character. In my life, I’ve learned that God’s promises endure even when I falter. Just as He remained faithful to Abraham, He remains faithful to you and me.
Think about this: God’s covenant with Abraham ultimately pointed to Jesus, the fulfillment of every promise. Through Christ, we’re invited into a new covenant—one that guarantees eternal life, unbreakable love, and unending grace. When we walk with God, we’re not just living for today; we’re stepping into His eternal purposes.
Practical Application: Walking in Covenant
How do we live out this truth?
Daily Connection: Start every day by walking before God. Share your joys, struggles, and fears with Him. Make prayer a conversation, not a checklist.
Trust His Timing: Remember that Abraham waited decades for God’s promise. Trust that His timing is perfect, even when it feels delayed.
Celebrate His Faithfulness: Take time to reflect on how God has been faithful in your life. Write it down, share it with others, and let it fuel your trust in Him.
Embrace Your Identity: Remember that you are who God says you are. You’re not defined by your past but by His promises.
A Truth to Hold Onto.
That moment you realize God’s love doesn’t waver based on your performance? It changes everything. It’s like a weight lifting off your soul. You don’t have to strive, bargain, or beg. You just have to walk with Him, trusting that His covenant holds firm.
I think back to those nights of desperate prayer and how God used them to draw me closer. He didn’t just meet me in my need; He invited me into a deeper relationship—one where His love wasn’t just a safety net but the foundation of my life.
God’s covenant with Abraham is a reminder that His promises never fail. He is faithful even when we falter, and His love pursues us relentlessly. Today, let’s commit to walking before Him, sharing every moment, and trusting in His unbreakable promises.
Let’s Close in a Prayer…
Father, thank You for Your covenant that never fails. Thank You for loving us even when we fall short. Help us to walk before You with hearts full of trust and gratitude. Remind us daily of who we are in You and guide us to live out Your promises with faith and courage. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
An Invitation to go Deeper….
Join me in the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge and discover the joy of walking with God daily. Let’s dive deeper into His promises and grow together in faith. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s take the next step together.
