BEST BIRTHDAY BLESSING Gen. 17:1-22

Abraham had been celebrating many birthdays, on his ninety-ninth birthday he decided to do it in a special way. He arranged a special worship session that led to a memorable and generational divine encounter.
Highlights of 99th Abraham Birthday Divine Encounter
A word of hope, reassurance and encouragement – “walk thou before me and be thou perfect”vs1. Prior to this time, Abram had committed adultery that led to the Ishmael even though arranged by his wife but it was still a sin. Abram must have repented and rededicated his life,therefore God in his infinite mercy and lovingkindness had forgiven him and now is encouraging him to walk perfectly before Him. We must not defend our wrong actions, we must be humble before God anytime we take a wrong step. 1John 1:9
A deep and total worship of God, “he fell on his face” – vs3. He did not allow anything to distract him, the circumstances, family and friends, business and so on. He concentrated fully in the worship until God showed up. God loves worship and He is usually attracted whenever and wherever is done in spirit and in truth. John 4:4, Psa 22:3
He maintained a quiet spirit in order to hear what God is saying, “and God talked with him”vs3. He was not doing a lousy worship that the flesh is dominating. He rather tuned his spiritual ears to hear what God is saying as he was worshipping. Rev.2:29, Rev.3:6,13,22.
He got a new name “but thy name shall be Abraham,for a father of many nations have I made thee” –v5. The Lord made him to discover another great potential hidden in him all this while. He got a new vision of what God want to make of him. He is not going to be father of many children but father of nations. When we go to the Lord we should be open to hear things about our future, things we don’t know about ourselves and his plan and purpose for our lives. Jer.33:3
He struck(signed) a great transgenerational covenant (agreement) deal with God –“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant”vs7. It’s a great opportunity and a thing of huge excitement, when signing-in for a new job, contract, record label with big organization. Imagine signing an agreement with King of whole universe who can never be bankrupted. Psa89:34
He got divine instructions – “Every man child among you shall be circumcised”vs10. Every covenant has terms for commitment from both parties concerned. In this case Abraham was to do circumcision and God has to be God over them. We must note that every promise and prophecy usual demand certain responsibilities from us (Deut.28:1). As we are receiving promises, we must also be getting instructions on what to do or not to do.
God bless the wife too- “I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations”vs16. God is a master stragetist and a good lover of homes. God knew that the blessing promised to Abram wouldn’t materialize if the wife is not bless too, Abram alone cannot parent a child. God had to do what He did in Gen1:28 “And God bless them..”. It’s a blessed man and woman that would have blessed children and home. Psa 128:1-3.
God vetoed Abram’s faith –“and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old”vs17 Abram’s faith before now did not have the capacity to receive what God is about to do. But God had to overwrite his faith acceptance to bring to pass His plan and promise for him. This is a dimension of beyond imagination blessing. Eph.3:20
Abram’s prayer got answered - “And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee” vs 20. Even though Ismael permissive (not God’s perfect)will of God for Abram. God still has regard for the prayer because every child is a blessing regardless of circumstance that brought them. Not all our prayers are perfect yet God answers them – Psa 65:2, we should however be striving to know his perfect will.
Definite prophecy and promise concerning his 100th birthday - "....at this set time in the next year"vs21. Despite the fact that God has blessed Ishmael He still emphasized that the covenant child will be Isaac. He categorically stated that Isaac is coming through Sarah. Abram got full picture of how is next year birthday going to like, with Isaac in his hand. Its God’s will that our years be progressing and always having the years ahead better than the previous ones-Prov.4:18.
A genuine encounter with God like the one analyzed above is the best birthday blessing anyone can ever have.

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