LEARNING DAILY

Genesis 15:1, 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.”

Wouldn’t you, as a Believer like to hear the Lord speak to you and tell you what He said to Abram? Why don’t you take a moment and read the above verse and substitute your name where Abram’s name is found. Makes you feel good, doesn’t it? God was assuring Abram and each Believer that he (we) has nothing to fear because God will protect and reward him greatly.

Abram had just come from driving out forces who had captured his nephew Lot, his family, all his goods, and all the goods and provisions of Sodom and Gomorrah. Everything was returned and Abram was offered a great reward by the king of Sodom. Abram refused to take anything. It was at this point that the Lord came to Abram in a dream with His promise.

Abram had some concerns because he had not yet seen the heir he had been promised. Without an heir how could the promises God had made happen? The Lord took him outside to the heavens and told him to count the stars if he was able; the number of stars in the heaven would be what his descendants would number.  This leads to verse 6, “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” God had addressed the emotions of Abram, telling him it was safe to set aside his fear because He was protecting him. The Lord told him his reward was going to be great and worth the wait.

This is one of those days I want you to reflect back on several things. Think back to a time(s) when fear and worry caused you great stress. Think about a time(s) when God protected you from something. We know fear can be very real or it can be imagined; that is not the subject here. The days we live in are evil and what is going to happen tomorrow can cause great anxiety. Remembering how God has protected you in the past can certainly overcome the fears of what lies ahead. We must remember that God is still your shield, just as He was for Abram! Never forget that God is in control and knows all that is happening in the lives of those who follow Him. The message He gave Abram is still the message he gives believers today.

I want you to focus on the next thing the Lord promised Abram because it is still promised Believers today. He promised an “exceedingly great reward”! Refer to verse 6 again and see that Abram believed. To “believe” means to persevere in trust and belief by being obedient. God saw the attitude in his heart and counted him righteous (a note from somewhere I have written in my Bible). This is a statement about Abram’s continuing faith and belief in God; that is what made him righteous. It is the continuing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by each of you, each believer, that make you acceptable to Him.

I will finish this by taking you to Ephesians 3:20-21. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to His power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” The Lord’s promise to Abram was to protect him and give him an exceedingly great reward. That promise for Abram is extended through Jesus Christ to everyone who follows Him. It is His power working through each Believer that helps us walk on a narrow way to His kingdom and strengthens each of us to not fear today or tomorrow. Knowing that the Lord is our Shield and Defender should fill our hearts with joy and confidence to serve Him as He desires. When the Lord does more for us than we ask or expect, His glory and His majesty is brought forth in our lives. I cannot help believe that our greatest reward will come when we step into the presence of Jesus in Heaven.