Theme: Abram’s Word from God
Text: Genesis 15: 1-6
Introduction
A. In our text, God appeared and spoke to Abraham in a vision. Abraham had received a “word” from God that had revolutionized and had changed his life forever. The word he received from God was about his fear, future, and faith. God had encouraged him concerning the things he was afraid of, reassured him of his future, and commended him of his faith.
Encouragement, reassurance, and commendation can bring positive impact to the life of a person and they can be life-changing if spoken by the right person. Here, God Himself spoke words of encouragement, reassurance, and commendation to Abraham. So we see the life of Abraham was forever changed! Friends, there’s nothing in all of the possessions we have in this world can compare to the Word of God, because it can change your life forever.
B. Ok, let’s now listen in on this conversation between the Lord and Abram and see what it has to teach us about our own walk with the Lord.
I. THE WORD ABOUT ABRAM’S FEAR (v.1).
1. Abraham has just won a great military victory. But probably there were mixed feelings about this victory. There was joy and anxiety. Joy, because they won, but anxious because his military campaign and victory made him a bitter enemy of Chedorlaomer. This king, with his confederates, was mighty enough to come against Sodom and the cities of Canaan. Abraham would have felt that he too was in great danger would the king from the east attack them again. The thought that the enemy would have just waited for an opportunity to attack and destroy them would have caused troubles and anxiety to his mind. Every other day was restless; there’s no peace.
2. God came with a word of peace. God appeared to Abram and said: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield and your exceeding great reward.” Actually, this is the first time the phrase “fear not” is used in the Bible. This shows that Abram was not just afraid; he was really very anxious and dreadful. So God came to remind Abraham that He is both Abram’s shield and reward.
A shield in the Olden Times is used to protect the whole body from the direct attack of the enemy. But it could also mean “shelter.” So when God said to Abraham “I am your shield”, He meant that He was going to be Abraham’s protection and shelter from all his enemies. Actually, the word for shield used here has direct relation to what Melchizedek said when he met Abram after his battle with Chedorlaomer. We can find that in chap.14: 20: “Most High God, who delivered your enemies into your hands.” Therefore Abraham need not fear reprisals of those he had fought and defeated. God promised him total protection and complete victory.
Then God further said: “I am your exceeding great reward.” This is saying, “I am your comfort.” As we learned last Sunday, Abram declined to keep the spoils of war. That great amount of money could give him material comfort and sense of security in the future. But he’s never a loser; the Lord promises to reward him in great abundance. God means that as long as Abraham walks with God by faith, He’s going to be responsible for Abraham’s needs, and He is going to provide him in great abundance. So in walking by faith and living with integrity Abraham lost nothing; he gained everything.
3. Of course, there are lots of things in this world that can cause great trouble, fear, and anxiety to our minds. When we think of our immense responsibilities, our children’s needs and future, our safety, our health, our bills, yes even how we manage our money can cause anxiety and trouble. But here is the promise of God from all the dangers and troubles around us: “Fear not, for I am Your shield and great reward.
There is peace of knowing that God is our shield and reward. He is both our protection and comfort; in Him we find true security. If we have God, then we have everything. Children of God are not to be pitied; they are to be envied. They have the great possession ever!
One day, Jesus and His disciples were on the boat in the middle of the lake of Galilee. Jesus was asleep when a great storm came. The disciples were so afraid; they thought they would all be drowned to death. Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind and the storm. He said to them: “Where is your faith?” They didn’t realize that the Presence of God, the Truth, God’s Power, God’s Faithfulness, was with them. They didn’t realize that as long as Jesus is with them, nothing should be able to destroy them. Friends, we too have that security in Christ.
II. THE WORD ABOUT ABRAM’S FUTURE (v.2-5).
1. In verses 2-3 Abraham told God his honest concerns and burdens about the promises he has received. These are not questions of doubt, but honest questions based on his human assessment. He had received the promise to become the possessor of the land but he has no son to be his heir. This reality burdened him. But Abraham knew where to take his burden, he came to God believing that he would find the answer.
Do you see that? When you’re burdened with something, the right place to take it and the right place to find the answer is God’s throne of grace. God wants us to cast our burdens upon Him. If we do, we are sure to find the answer.
2. Now let’s listen the word of God to Abram about his concern, God is saying in v.4, “…a son who comes from your own body will be your heir.” God answered Abram’s honest questions with another promise. This promise speaks something about God’s sovereignty. Abraham and Sarah were already past of age, so that humanly speaking, it’s impossible for them to have a child. But God wanted Abraham here to understand that nothing is impossible to Him. God would have been saying to Abraham like this, “Abraham, take heart, your future is under the protection and operation of my Sovereignty.”
Concerning our future, we need to remember that our God operates in the realm of all-power. We must always remember that we are serving the God of the “has done.” Even before we exercise our little faith, God’s plan is already in motion and He is working out His will through His Sovereign power.
3. God’s further word to Abraham in v.5 reveals more truths about the God we serve. Abraham was concerned about a single heir to his fortune. But God was concerned with giving him more heirs than he could count.
You see, God wanted Abraham and us to realize that He is the God of abundance. He is the God of the “unlimited.” And that He wants to do more in our lives than we can imagine. Our God is not just “enough”, He is “more than enough.” For all of us, God is more than enough for any situation. If only we can get hold of this truth, it would revolutionize our praying and our faith.
III. THE WORD ABOUT ABRAM’S FAITH (v.6).
Now let’s see what the Lord had to say about Abraham’s faith through the narrative in verse 6.
1. The first phrase of verse 6 tells us the direction of Abraham’s faith. It says, “And he (referring to Abraham) believed in the Lord.” This description of Abraham’s faith was given after he received God’s promise of a son. But notice, it is not saying, “he believed in the promise,” but “he believed in the Lord.” It means, he has moved from listening and believing the promise to putting his trust totally on the Lord Himself. Not just the words but the Person of God that Abraham believed in.
Tozer, in his book “Pursuit of Holiness” said: “Rest your faith on the character of God.” We should commit our lives into absolute trust on God. To know Him is very important then.
2. The second phrase of verse 6 tells us that God honored Abraham’s faith. Verse 6b says, “…and He (referring to God) accounted it (that is, Abraham’s faith) to him for righteousness. Abraham’s faith was not only commendable, it had secured him the righteousness of God. When he believed in God, God erased Abraham’s sins and applied His own perfect righteousness to Abraham.
3. The lesson we learn here is: God always honors faith that is directed to Him. He will never snub nor overlook anyone who believes in Him. As the Bible says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry” (Ps.34: 15). The Psalmist further said: “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love” (Ps.33; 18).
Is your faith a kind that God commends and honors? It must be a kind of faith that believes both in the promises of God and His Person. It must be a kind of faith that is willing to obey the voice of God.
C. CONCLUSION:
Do you want something to commit to God by faith now? His altar awaits you to come.
