Genesis 17:1-2 "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. (2) And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly."
Quite honestly, this verse used to bother me. I read it as if God was
saying to Abram, "I will bless you if you don't mess up anymore."
That would be a mighty tall order to fill if that was actually what God
was saying to Abram. Those who have heard me preach regularly know that I
love to look up the Biblical meanings of words. There is much to be said about
knowing what the word was intended and actually meant in the original language.
God had made a promise to Abram when he was 75 years old that the land would be
given to him and his seed. Abram is now 99 years old. So now, 14 years after
the last affirmation, God appears to Abram to assure His promise. " I am
the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. (2) And I
will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee
exceedingly." Now we come to the definition of the word,
"perfect". Was God saying that Abram had to be completely
faultless in order for the blessing to come upon him? In the Bible, the word,
perfect, means to be mature. Let me use a child as an illustration. Early in
life, the favorite saying of a child becomes, "I can do it myself."
Sometimes we allow them to make mistakes in order to realize they
actually do need help. We know our children have matured when they come
to us and ask for our help. God was actually telling Abram to stop trying
to do things on his own instead of asking for God's help. We honor our
Heavenly Father when we become perfect (mature) in actions by asking Him for
His help and guidance in our lives. Don't ever think you are bothering
God when you ask Him for assistance in life - no matter how large or small.