And Abram said, Behold, to me Thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness(Gen. 15:3-6).
From the moment he was called out of the land of Hebron, Abram (Abraham) had been facing a trial of faith. Although he had stumbled on occasion, such as when he acted out of fear and lied to the Pharaoh about the identity of Sarai, his wife, he continued to grow daily in his relationship with the Lord. When trouble arose between his herdsmen and those of his nephew, Lot, Abram moved swiftly to keep the peace (Gen. 13:8-9). When Lot cunningly chose the choicest land for his own, Abram willingly ceded it to him, trusting God to provide (13:10-12). Later, when Lot became embroiled in the politics of the land and was taken prisoner during an attack on Sodom and Gomorrah, Abram reacted not out of fear but out of love and faith. His brother’s (nephew’s) life meant more to him than his own, so he armed his trained servants and pursued the enemy (14:14). Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
Under the protection of God, Abram rescued not only Lot and his household but also recovered all of the plundered goods and captives from both Sodom and Gomorrah. Per the custom of the times, the king of Sodom offered the spoils of war to Abram and his confederates. This might have been the most significant spiritual test yet, but Abram passed it with flying colors. The tribute would have greatly increased Abram’s wealth and power, but he cared more about bringing glory to God than about his worldly status (Gen. 14:22-23).
After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward (15:1). Abram had greatly pleased the Lord in both word and deed, and God seized the moment to remind him of the promise He had bestowed. Abram loved and trusted God, but he was still confused. He couldn’t understand ‘how’ the Lord's promise could come about, seeing as he had no children. It is important to note that God’s reply to Abram does not answer his inquiry. God never says ‘how,’ only that it WILL be, and, in that moment, God’s Word becomes enough for Abram. And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.
All of his spiritual trials had led up to that moment of clarity – the realization that God’s Word was absolute and that nothing could be deemed impossible with God. Abram would continue to live for many years in the faithful service of God, but it was at that moment, when he believed in the Lord with all of his heart and soul, that he became His son.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness(Rom. 4:3-5).
Thought for Today: Denying the world control over us should be an empowering and fulfilling experience. If it is a painful one, then we have not been wholly successful.
Christ Portrayed:By the high priest, Melchizedek, who brought forth bread and wine (Gen. 14:18-20; Heb. 4:15-16; 5:5-10; 7:1-4). Today Christ is our High Priest who is interceding in prayer for us. He alone is deserving of our gifts and service to Him. Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them (Matt. 26:26-27).
Word Studies:13:6 bear = support; 14:5 smote = subdued; 14:18 Salem = Jerusalem; 14:20 tithes = gifts of the first 10% of all material or financial increase; 14:22 I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord = Abraham made an oath (promise) to God.
Pray for Government OfficialsGov. Mike DeWine(OH) • Country: Morocco (32,987,206) North Africa • Major Languages: Arabic, Berber Languages • Northern Morocco becoming fertile ground for Islamic Radicalization • 99% Muslim; 1% Christian; about 6,000 Jews • Prayer Suggestion: Know that the Lord is loving and merciful to His children (Jer. 31:9).