Genesis 17:22-27: a reflection

22When he finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. 23Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money: every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as God had said to him. 24Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26In the same day both Abraham and Ishmael, his son, were circumcised. 27All the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

God has just given Abraham the command of circumcision, the sign of the covenant; and notice how Abraham responds. That very same day, we are told, Abraham circumcised himself, his son Ishmael, and every male in his household, just as God had said. He did not delay, did not put it off, did not wait for a more convenient time; the same day the command was given, he obeyed it fully, though it was difficult and strange, and he was ninety-nine years old.

Notice the promptness and completeness of Abraham's obedience: the same day, fully. He did not delay obeying a difficult command, or obey it in part; he did it at once, and completely, that very day. The command was not easy, and Abraham was old; but he did not let difficulty or his age become reasons for delay. When God commanded, Abraham obeyed promptly and fully, without putting it off or holding back.

That prompt, full obedience is a pattern worth following. When God shows us what he would have us do, we can be tempted to delay, to wait for a more convenient time, to obey partly or put it off; and difficulty gives us excuses. But Abraham obeyed the same day, fully, despite the difficulty. When God shows you something to do, do not delay or put it off; obey promptly, as Abraham obeyed the same day. Do not let difficulty, or the wish for a more convenient time, become reasons for delay. Prompt, full obedience, doing at once and completely what God has shown you, is better than a delayed or partial obedience. Follow Abraham's example: when God commands, obey the same day, fully, rather than putting off till later what God has called you to do now.

Lord, when you gave Abraham the command of circumcision, he obeyed that very same day, fully, circumcising himself and all his household, though it was difficult and strange and he was ninety-nine years old; he did not delay or obey in part. Let that prompt, full obedience be a pattern I follow. When you show me what you would have me do, I can be tempted to delay, to wait for a more convenient time, to obey partly or put it off; and difficulty gives me excuses. But Abraham obeyed the same day, fully, despite the difficulty. When you show me something to do, keep me from delaying or putting it off; help me obey promptly, as Abraham obeyed the same day. Do not let difficulty, or the wish for a more convenient time, become reasons for delay. Prompt, full obedience, doing at once and completely what you have shown me, is better than a delayed or partial obedience. Help me follow Abraham's example: when you command, help me obey the same day, fully, Lord, rather than putting off till later what you have called me to do now. Make me prompt and full in obeying you.