Thursday, June 15, 2017
Genesis 15:1-6 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." But Abram said, "Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" Then Abram said, "Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!" And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir." Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
ABRAM'S FAITH, A TYPE OF OUR OWN (4)
Someone has said that God is the number one psychiatrist. He begins a conversation that opened the door for Abram to unburden something God knew was weighing on his heart.
After hearing God's wonderful promise, Abram opened his heart: "Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus? … Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!"
To which the Heavenly Counselor responded: "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir." Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
Those words are exactly what Abram's sorely tested faith needed--not by his servant, but one begotten by his own body would be his heir! Abram can continue to hope and believe that as impossible as it seems God, the Creator, could and would give him offspring from the womb of his barren wife Sarai! Yes, God can do the "impossible."
Are we, like Abram, afflicted with doubt and despair? Be reassured that God is also our Shield, our great Reward, our Strength and Stay, our Rock and Fortress!
Father, Oh, hear me, Pardon and spare me;
Calm all my terrors, Blot out my errors
That by Your eyes they may no more be scanned.
Order my goings; Direct all my doings.
As best it may be, Retain or release me;
All I commit to Your fatherly hand.
(Worship Supplement 2000, 782:2)
