Genesis 17

“Shall Sarai, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” (v17).  Abraham’s lack of faith was understandable.  But God chooses “what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (I Corinthians 1), and He wanted His covenant with Israel to reflect His glory and mercy, not human effort.  So Sarai conceived, and the sign of God’s covenant was equally surprising and strange: circumcision.  Abraham and his men had to put themselves in a place of weakness in order to receive God’s strength.

We all prefer being in control.  But God works through weakness, and waiting, and surprises, so that we learn the joy of trusting Him.