Genesis 17:4 "As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations."
Who is speaking: God
Who is He speaking to: Abram
In verse 1 of this chapter, it shows Abram is 99 years old. The Almighty God still wanted Abram and wanted to use him. God was renewing His covenant with Abram, to multiply him greatly.
In chapter 16, Abram and Sarai tried multiplying their own way, by the use of Hagar who bore Ishmael. Although Ishmael's line grew and multiplied as God said it would in chapter 17 verse 20, it wasn't the line God intended.
His covenant was with Isaac's line.
After God speaks with Abram, God changes his name to Abraham and his wife's name to Sarah. In her old age, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. As God had said. Now Abraham is 100 years old. Pretty old to be having kids, but I honestly think this was a way God could show how great He truly is.
God is a man of His word, so to speak! God told Abram His covenant was with him. Abram's seed would multiply and did it ever! It didn't just multiply into a nation, but God promised he would also give them land, and He would be their God forever.
He was, and forever will be the God of Abraham. Even though Abraham didn't see a lot of what God promised, he still obeyed and believed the Almighty God's word. Abraham was long passed by the time his people came into the promised land. But Abraham believed and trusted God that what He said would come to pass. Faith!
Genesis 15:6 says "And he believed in the LORD; and he counted to him for righteousness."
He expected great things from his God!
The "as for me" in our key verse, was the Almighty God saying, "I want you, Abram, Me...the Almighty God wants you."
The Creator of the universe came down and chose Abram...a man that lived in his father's house with his wife, to leave and follow what He said. He used Abraham in his old age to show how great God truly is!
God chose you for something great too! Do you believe He can do great things in your life? Do you have faith in Him? Will you obey Him?
God made a covenant with Abram. He wants to make a covenant with you. Is there a way He is wanting your life to go? You may not see what comes from it, like Abraham did with the promised land. But do you have faith that God can use your life like He did with Abraham?
He may do something in your life that will grow into something huge and amazing! Just like the seed of Abraham grew into many nations.
Abraham expected great things from God, do you?