“亚伯兰年九十九岁的时候，耶和华向他显现，对他说：‘我是全能的神，你当在我面前作完全人，我就 … 使你的后裔极其繁多。’” – 创 17:1-2
当神准备做伟大的事情时，祂往往会从一些小的事情开始，亚伯拉罕和撒莱的故事也是如此。神介入到这一对年纪老迈、膝下无子的夫妇的生命中、叫他们得到难以置信，数不胜数的众多后裔。对神来说，在人看来不可能的事，也是大有可能的。
神应许亚伯拉罕将会成为大国之父，迄今已有24年之久了（参看创世记 12:1-4）。在此期间，神也数次向他重申祂的应许，甚至设立了一个仪式来确保这个誓约，可是亚伯拉罕和撒莱仍然没有生养儿女。在创世记17章中，神向他们启示自己特别的名字El Shaddai，意思是“全能的神”，来再次重申这个应许。随后祂把亚伯兰的名字改为亚伯拉罕，意思是“多国的父”，并且衪对他说明了自己计划的细节。神又把撒莱的名字改为撒拉，意思是“公主”（参看第15节）。尽管这应许尚未成就，神已经再一次向他们做出保证了。
与此相仿，当我感到难以相信衪的应许时，透过经文、诗歌、鼓励的短信、和祷告，神也会再次向我保证。这些都能帮助我再次确信， 纵使环境尚未改变，神仍然在做工。无论你在何事上信靠神，在等待的过程中，你也照样可以从衪所赐的激励中支取力量。
祷告
全能的神，你知道我们在对你的信心上经历怎样的挣扎。求你再次向我们确认你的同在和能力，又提醒我们，在你里面没有难成的事。阿们。
创世记 17:1-8
1亚伯兰年九十九岁的时候，耶和华向他显现，对他说：“我是全能的神，你当在我面前做完全人。
2我就与你立约，使你的后裔极其繁多。”
3亚伯兰俯伏在地，神又对他说：
4“我与你立约：你要做多国的父。
5从此以后，你的名不再叫亚伯兰，要叫亚伯拉罕，因为我已立你做多国的父。
6我必使你的后裔极其繁多，国度从你而立，君王从你而出。
7我要与你并你世世代代的后裔坚立我的约，做永远的约，是要做你和你后裔的神。
8我要将你现在寄居的地，就是迦南全地，赐给你和你的后裔永远为业，我也必做他们的神。”
God Of The Impossible
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and . . . I will . . . greatly increase your numbers.’” – Genesis 17:1-2
Often when God wants to do something big, he starts with something small. Such was the case with Abraham and Sarai. God took an elderly, childless couple and made them fruitful beyond belief. What seems impossible to human beings is very possible with God.
It had been 24 years since God first promised Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation (see Genesis 12:1-4). Several times through those years God reaffirmed his promise and even ceremonially sealed it. Still, Abraham and Sarai were without children. In Genesis 17 God affirmed this promise again by revealing his special name El Shaddai, meaning “God Almighty.” Then he changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many,” and spelled out further details of his plan. God also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, meaning “princess” (see v. 15). Even though the promise had yet to be fulfilled, God offered reassurance to them.
Similarly, at times when it was difficult for me to believe his promises, God sent reassurances my way. Bible verses, songs, encouraging notes, and prayers helped to reassure me that God was still at work—even if circumstances hadn’t yet changed. Whatever you are trusting God for, draw strength from the encouragements he gives along the way.
Prayer
God Almighty, you know how we struggle to be faithful. Reassure us of your presence and power, reminding us that nothing is impossible with you. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
