“What do you want God to do for you?” Sometimes God asks. He gave Solomon the choice of anything, and the fledgling king asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-9). When the blind man Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus, the Lord went to him and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51) To be clear, God is not a Genie in a bottle granting our wishes. Sometimes explicitly, at other times implicitly, God asks.
Abram desperately wanted children. When God first called him, part of the promise was numerous descendants (Genesis 12:1-3). Now as God came to him in a vision, Abram boldly reminded the Lord. Many years had passed and still no children. So far it looked like a servant named Eliezer would be heir to Abram’s growing fortune.
What may we learn from Abram’s prayer? Notice that he knows who God is: Sovereign Lord. He asks the Sovereign Lord who has called him what he can actually give him by way of reward, when he has still not given him children. Remembering God’s prior promise, Abram spoke directly: “You have given me no children.” Knowing God’s authority, Abram prayed with audacity. Friends talk to each other this way.
This bold prayer elicited a bold response from God, “Eliezer will not be your heir. Your own flesh and blood son will be your heir.” The Lord took him outside, pointed to the stars and said, “So shall your offspring be.” Like Abram we may have drawn conclusions about God based on our story to this point, but the Author is still writing. God finishes what he starts. He keeps his promises. What do we want from God?
