Part 1 – Flexibility Training – Reading
Here is where Abram (meaning Exalted Father) becomes Abraham (Father of a Multitude) and Sarai becomes Sarah (both mean Princess, but might have a slightly different slant). Like circumcision was to be an outward sign of his covenant with God, so the change of names was to reflect God’s promise of uncountable descendants.
As you read, pay special attention to the terms of the covenant God makes with Abraham. God’s part is in verses 1-8, Abraham’s in verses 9-14. [If you want to know more about covenants that God made, you can check out the article here.]
ESV – Genesis 17 – BibleHub
NLT – Genesis 17 – BibleHub
Circumcision is a difficult thing to ask of any man, let alone a 99-year-old man. But did you see that Abraham carried this out the very day he was told. And his men went along with him. Not a word of any man balking or questioning. That likely shows great faith on their part as well.
PART 2 – Strength Training – Memory & Thinking
As you commit the Bible to memory, don’t forget to also learn where the verses are located. Keep practicing both the verse and the location!
Colossians 2:11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.
Genesis 15:6 And [Abraham] believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Romans 4:13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.
As you read through these verses below, remember that Abraham was just as flawed and sinful as we are. But Abraham lived by faith, not by sight. And this is why he was “counted righteous.”
Romans 4:9-12 For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Part 3 – Cardio Training – Prayer
Has God asked you to do anything you think is too hard for you? Perhaps He’s asked you to give up something like alcohol or certain friends. Perhaps He’s asked you to quit your job because you have to compromise your Christian beliefs if you keep it. Perhaps He’s called you to share your faith with a friend you are certain will laugh at or scorn you. Perhaps He’s asked you to wait. And wait. And wait. There is something in every life and God asks us to do. And he has something for each of us in every season. And it will not often be easy. And even some times, it may seem ridiculous or cruel. Whatever it is, talk to God about it. Ask Him to show you how to complete whatever He has given you to do. You might try something like this:
Dear Father, I think You are asking me to ___________________. I want to trust You and to obey You. Right now, this seems impossible. I find myself shaking my head at this. I don’t see how I can do this – how this is going to work – how You are going to make that happen. Help me trust You. Father, even Abraham laughed at the thought of having a son at the age of 100, and yet he is known as a man of great faith. Show me what to do and help me obey You even when I don’t have the faith to back up my actions…
Part 4 – Endurance Training
Building up faith is like building up endurance. It is done one step at a time. One decision to be obedient, followed by one more decision to be obedient. Keep reading about the great men and women of faith. Keep praying and being honest with God. Most of all, rely on His strength, not your own. That is the only way you will win this race of faith.
An Extra Lap
Sometimes it’s a value way to ponder the portions of the Bible we’ve just read to use our imaginations to think through the various points of the biography and their implications. Take a few minutes and think through these questions:
What must it have been like for Abraham to see his older son not chosen as the son of the promise?
How would Abraham’s men, the servants, the shepherds, the fighting men, have reacted to the idea of circumcision? Do you think they were quick to have it done, or would they have asked a lot of questions first?
Do you think it makes any difference that Isaac was conceived after Abraham was circumcised?
Faith Gym 