“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’ Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. NO longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.’” Genesis 17:1-8

Abraham was seventy-five years old when God promised him a son. But God chose not to fulfill His promise to Abraham until he was one hundred years old. That was twenty-five years later! Imagine the long wait Abraham had to endure those twenty-five years. Despite the seeming slowness of the promise happening, God continued to reassure and remind Abraham that He would fulfill His word in the future. And God followed through. 

Sometimes we tend to think that when God gives a specific promise to us from His Word, the fulfillment of it will occur that same day, maybe that week, certainly that year; yet God waited decades to fulfill His promise to Abraham. Don’t be discouraged if God has specifically spoken to you through His Word about the future, and you have yet to see the promise fulfilled. Remember that God’s timing is different from ours. He will come through for you according to His timing, whether that’s in a year or twenty-five years. Take hope as you read Abraham’s story, and know that God always keeps His Word.

Have you doubted God’s promises for your life? Where have you seen God fulfill promises in your journey?

Lord God, please give us the patience that we need to endure. Give us the daily strength we need until Your word has been fulfilled in our lives. Amen.

Take Action

Reflect on the past year or two and think of a time that God has answered a prayer or come through on a promise to you. Share that “glory story” with a friend—or with a coach at thelife.com!

Pray God’s promises! 


This study takes place in the Power to Change discussion room. Click the ad to log in.