Series: Called To Promise [#6]
COUNTING ON GOD’S PROMISES
Genesis 15:1-21
Introduction:
As we study our passage, we are reminded that God's promises are not just words spoken in the past; they are living assurances we can rely on today. In a world filled with uncertainties, setbacks, and doubts, God's promises stand firm and unwavering. We can count on them because they come from a faithful God who keeps His word. Out of curiosity, I typed into Google this question, “How many promises from God are found in the Bible?” Here is the response: The exact number of promises from God in the Bible varies depending on how one defines and counts them. Scholars and biblical researchers estimate that there are approximately 7,000 promises made by God throughout the Scripture. These promises encompass a wide range of blessings, assurances, and commitments, including promises of salvation, guidance, provision, protection, and eternal life. While the precise count can differ based on interpretation and translation, what remains clear is that God's promises are abundant and serve as a foundation of hope and assurance for believers.
As we study Genesis 15, let's open our hearts to understand how God's promises provided hope to Abraham and how they continue to be a source of hope and confidence for us today. Together, let's discover how we, too, can confidently count on God's promises in our lives.
Genesis 15:1-6
God's promises…
1. Provide reassurance in our times of fear.
God’s promises serve as a profound source of reassurance, especially in times of fear and uncertainty. In Genesis 15:1-6, God assures Abram with the promise, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." This divine reassurance highlights that God's promises are rooted in His unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty. When Abram fears for his future and doubts his descendants’ inheritance, God responds by reaffirming His commitment to bless him and make him the father of many nations. This act of divine reassurance demonstrates that God's promises are not mere words but powerful commitments that provide stability and hope amid our anxieties. As believers, we can cling to these promises, trusting that God's faithfulness endures, and His word is a firm foundation when our circumstances seem uncertain.
God's promises extend beyond mere words; they carry the weight of His character and divine authority. In Genesis 15:6, Abram's faith is credited to him as righteousness because he believed God's promises, even before their full fulfillment. This teaches us that God's promises are trustworthy because they originate from His perfect nature- Faithful, loving, and true. When we face fears, we are invited to rely on the integrity of God's character, knowing that His promises are guaranteed by His divine nature. The promise to Abram underscores that God’s plans often unfold over time, requiring us to trust in His timing and faithfulness. As we count on God's promises, we find reassurance that He is actively working for our good, providing peace that surpasses understanding in the midst of our fears.
Genesis 15:7-21
God's promises…
2. Affirm His faithfulness and righteousness.
In Genesis 15:7-21, God reaffirms His covenant with Abram, promising to give his descendants the land from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates. This passage underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain or impossible. God's covenant is rooted in His righteousness and sovereignty; He is the faithful keeper of His word, and His promises are grounded in His divine character. By affirming His commitment, God demonstrates that His promises are not contingent on human merit but are anchored in His unwavering righteousness and divine faithfulness, assuring us that we can trust His word completely.
God's faithfulness and righteousness are foundational to our confidence in His promises. When God makes a covenant, He fulfills it because of His perfect justice and truthfulness. Genesis 15 highlights that God's promises are certain because they originate from His righteous nature. As believers, we can rest assured that God's commitments are unbreakable, reflecting His integrity and divine fidelity. This assurance encourages us to trust in His promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill every word, and His righteousness ensures that His promises are true and just- Providing a firm foundation for our faith and hope in His divine plan.
God's promises…
3. Guarantee a future hope and inheritance.
God's promise to Abraham serves as a profound assurance of a future hope and inheritance. When darkness falls and Abraham is overwhelmed by fear, God reassures him with a divine covenant, revealing that His promises extend beyond immediate circumstances to an everlasting inheritance. The promise of land, specifically the territory from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates, symbolizes God's commitment to secure a future for Abraham’s descendants. This promise is rooted in God's faithfulness and sovereignty, emphasizing that His covenant is unconditional and guaranteed. It reflects the biblical understanding that God's promises are not merely hopeful sentiments but divinely guaranteed assurances that establish a spiritual and physical inheritance for His people, anchoring their future in His unwavering faithfulness.
Theologically, this passage underscores that God's promises are rooted in His divine character- Faithful, omnipotent, and trustworthy. By sealing His covenant with a solemn act involving a smoking firepot and a blazing torch passing between the animal halves, God indicates that His promise is binding and unchangeable. For believers today, this guarantees that God's future promises, (of eternal life, inheritance, and salvation) are secure because they rest on God's sovereign authority and unbreakable covenant. This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness amid present uncertainties, knowing that His promises of hope and inheritance are certain, eternal, and ultimately fulfilled through His divine plan.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on God's unwavering promises to Abram, (promises of land, descendants, and blessing) we are reminded that our faith in God's Word is the foundation for our hope and assurance. Just as Abram trusted in God's faithful covenant, we too can stand confidently on the promises of God, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill every word He has spoken. No matter our circumstances or doubts, God's promises remain true, and His covenant with us is unbreakable. Let us hold fast to His Word, trusting that His promises are yes and amen, and that through faith, we can experience the fulfillment of God's divine plan in our lives.
Now, I invite you to respond to God's call today. If you have not yet committed your life to Jesus Christ or are seeking a deeper assurance of God's promises in your life, I encourage you to come forward. Give your heart to Him and let Him seal you with His promise of salvation, hope, and eternal life. Don't delay- Step out in faith and trust in God's perfect timing and His faithful promises. Come and experience the assurance of His covenant and allow His promises to become a reality in your life today.
