The 16th and 17th chapters illustrate that faith is more than just taking God at his word. Abram trusted God most of the time, but that isn't enough. Trusting God completely means trusting his timing as well. The age of instant gratification has eroded our faith.
Abram and Sarai believed that God was taking too long to give them an heir. At Sarai's urging, Abram made her servant pregnant. This was the custom when a wife was sterile. A servant would become a surrogate. However, it wasn't what God had promised. Their lack of trust led to drama between Sarai and Hagar (the servant).
After returning Hagar and Ishmael to the household, God reiterated his promise. To seal the covenant, God changed Abram's name to Abraham and ordered that every male in Abram's household be circumcised. This would be extended to all his descendants and their households.
As Christians, we also have a covenant with God. He has promised that we are forever forgiven and his heirs. We are baptized as a sign of this covenant. When we remember this covenant, we should trust in his promises and timing.
May we never forget that covenant.
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