Explore and understand God's unwavering faithfulness and His steadfast presence in our lives, as demonstrated through His promises and their fulfillment.
Good morning, church family! Do you know what's more reliable than the rising sun, more constant than the North Star, and more dependable than gravity? It's the faithfulness of our God in keeping His promises.
As Jerry Bridges once said, "The promises of the Bible are nothing more than God’s covenant to be faithful to His people. It is His character that makes these promises valid."
Today, we are going to immerse ourselves in Genesis 15:7-16, a passage that underscores God's presence in the Covenant, His faithfulness to His promises, and the blessing of His fulfillment.
Here is the Scripture passage for today's sermon:
"He also said to him, 'I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.' But Abram said, 'Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?' So the LORD said to him, 'Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.' Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. Then the LORD said to him, 'Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions... In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.'
In the passage we just read, God's presence in the covenant is unmistakably evident. The covenant, in biblical terms, is a divine agreement between God and His people in which God makes specific promises and demands. It is not a contract negotiated between equal parties but a divine decree where God establishes the terms. In Genesis 15:7-16, God is not just a distant observer of the covenant but an active participant. He initiates the covenant with Abram, setting the terms and conditions, and then actively ensures its fulfillment.
When God says to Abram: "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it," He is not just making a promise; He is establishing a covenant. The phrase "I am the LORD" is a powerful declaration of His divine presence. It is God's way of saying, "I am here, I am involved, and I am committed." God's presence in the covenant is not a passive presence; it is an active, dynamic, and powerful presence that shapes the course of history.
Underscores His personal relationship with Abram: He does not send a messenger or an angel to communicate His promise. Instead, He speaks directly to Abram, affirming His personal commitment to him. This personal relationship is a critical aspect of the covenant. It is not a cold, impersonal legal agreement but a warm, personal relationship based on mutual commitment and trust.
A reassuring presence: When Abram expresses doubt, asking, "Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" God does not rebuke him. Instead, He reassures him, providing a tangible sign of His promise. By asking Abram to bring a heifer, a goat, a ram, a dove, and a young pigeon, God is providing a visible, tangible sign of His commitment to the covenant. This reassurance is a powerful reminder of God's presence in the covenant. He is not just a promise-maker but also a promise-keeper.
A protective presence: When birds of prey descend on the carcasses, Abram drives them away. This act symbolizes God's protective presence in the covenant. Just as Abram drives away the birds of prey, God will protect His covenant and His people from any threats or dangers.
A prophetic presence: He not only makes a promise to Abram but also reveals the future to him. He tells Abram that his descendants will be strangers in a foreign land for four hundred years, but He will deliver them and bring them out with great possessions. This prophetic revelation underscores God's omniscience and His sovereignty over the future. It also reaffirms His presence in the covenant, not just in the present but also in the future.
When God makes a promise, He is not merely expressing a wish or a hope, but He is making a commitment that He will fulfill ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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