Knowing ahead of time what the future might bring is something that sounds very tempting. Many people consult astrologists and so on in the hope of finding happiness, love and prosperity in their future but is this what God wants for us? He knows our lives from start to finish and if we need to know anything ahead of time, He could easily arrange to let us see just as He does with Abram in today's reading. God does not want us to dabble in such things that are either a lot of nonsense or actually information obtained from the enemy. He calls us to trust Him with our future! (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The Word of the Lord came to Abram in various ways after his victory in battle and he had a glimpse into his future. As you read today's passage from Genesis, remember that God still speaks to us today —in fact he is speaking to us right now as we read His Word! Be expectant and look for even one new thing you didn't know before or needed reminding of:
"After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. " But Abram said, "Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." Then the word of the Lord came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir." He took him outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness."
Genesis 15:1-6NIV
I love the way that God encourages Abram at the beginning of his vision and tells him not to be afraid. Perhaps God knew that Abram may have found thoughts of the future quite daunting! The very fact he had just been victorious in battle may have meant that retribution was on the way. How comforting to know that he would certainly live through anything that came because Abram was assured that God would be his 'shield and reward'. Then being reminded again that he would have an heir must have also been very comforting to him. In fact God promised Abram's offspring would be as numerous as the stars in the sky!
It's interesting to see that Abram was very open with God as he asked, 'what can you give me since I remain childless...' He honestly brings God His concerns. He obviously wanted to believe and knew he could look to God for answers. God reminds him of the promises He has already made. We need to keep reading the Word so we can be reminded of all the promises He has made to us!
When Abram believed the Lord, it was 'credited to him as righteousness'. This is the first time 'believe' and 'righteousness' are used found in the Bible and certainly not the last! Righteousness can either come through our own efforts or can be accounted to us by God when we believe in Jesus:
"Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Romans 4:19-25 NIV
How blessed we are to know that we have this righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You so much for speaking to us from your Word today! Thank You for allowing us to see how Abram spoke with you honestly and openly. Right now I bring the things that are on my heart to You, knowing that You will hear me and answer my prayers.................................................................How blessed we are that when we believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead, You see us just as if we had never sinned! Thank You that we are justified by faith and we have Jesus' righteousness! Thank You Jesus for Your willingness to suffer and die for me. Thank You Father for the love and grace You show me every day and for sending the Comforter, Your Holy Spirit, to live inside of me.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalms 36:9 NLT
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Light and Life for Today
EspiritualA daily devotional for your time alone with God. In an increasingly dark world, more than ever, we need to look beyond what we can see, past our present circumstances. In order to see the light and experience life as our Heavenly Father intended, I...
