“Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?” Abram’s question in Genesis 15:8 is both a central one and a relatable one. The centrality of it is notable in that the Lord appears to Abram in Genesis 12, 15, and 18. Here we are roughly in the middle of the various appearances and in the middle of the action of Genesis 15. God has once again made promises to Abram, and upon being questioned, the Lord will show up in a symbolic and powerful way to confirm the promise. We also find this question relatable, as from time to time we have shared it. How can I know? How can I know if this is the right decision? How can I know if this is the right school to go to, the right job opportunity to change to, the right partner to marry? We can add up innumerable examples throughout life of asking that question, “How can I know?” I think of God’s promises as envelopes that are handed to us, yet they are sealed. We know God wants what is good for us, so there must be something of value inside! But there is a date on each envelope for when it will be opened, the seal broken, the promise fulfilled. But rarely do we see what the opening date is on the envelope. Some promises we are waiting for. Like treasure in clay jars (2 Corinthians 4:7), we await the opening of the envelope containing God’s promise. We don’t always know the how; Abram certainly didn’t, and that’s why he asked! Rarer yet do we know the when, and that vexes us. The ultimate answer to the question is already found in who it is addressed to: Sovereign Lord. In God’s sovereignty, we see some promises fulfilled and prayers answered in the short term. (“God, may the test results come back favorably.”) Others might be long term or even beyond our life-term. The when and how isn’t up to us; it is in the hands of the Sovereign Lord. The validity of the promise is guaranteed by the Promiser. It isn’t the circumstances! God is the Promise Maker and the Promise Keeper. If the promise seems too grandiose, it is no less valid. Or we may be tempted to diminish our idea of what the promise means to make it seem more feasible to us. It isn’t about circumstances; it is about God! Consider Philippians 1:6, that what Jesus starts in us he will bring to completion. Sometimes on this side of heaven, sometimes not. Every Sunday we have communion and I read the opening of Psalm 103, I wrestle with how these promises are being fulfilled or how we are still waiting. As we continue to read the Bible through the year, pay attention to the promises. Grow familiar in the Word with what the Sovereign Lord declares. In this way we learn in Scripture and in our own lives the difference between legitimate and counterfeit promises. When is it God, and when is it our wishful thinking? Read your Bible to grow familiar with which is which. And lastly, as we address the Promise Maker and Keeper, the Sovereign Lord, don’t try to “fix it” for God. Sarai wasn’t willing to trust God, so she took matters into her own hands and gave her servant Hagar to Abram so he could get her pregnant. That wasn’t what God had in mind, and even Sarai wasn’t happy with the results of her own actions, to say nothing of the misery of Hagar. Abraham and Isaac both lied and said of their wives, “She is my sister!” because they thought that was how to keep themselves safe from harm. Did they not trust the Sovereign Lord to keep the promises made? Do you? - Pastor Steven