“This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you that you must keep: every male among you shall be circumcised.” —Genesis 17:10
Abram was 99 years old and his wife Sarai 90. They were childless. Nevertheless, the Lord had covenanted with Abram to make him the father of a great nation. After the Lord changed the names of Abram and his wife Sarai, “Abraham prostrated himself and laughed as he said to himself, ‘Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Or can Sarah give birth at ninety?’ (17:17) The Lord promised: “My covenant I will maintain with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you by this time next year” (17:21). As a sign of the covenant, Abraham circumcised himself and all the males of his household.
Prayer: Father, circumcise my heart so I will not prevent You from doing anything You want in my life (Jer 4:4).
Promise: “No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations. I will render you exceedingly fertile; I will make nations of you; kings shall stem from you.” —17:5-6