Today’s Reading: Genesis 15, Psalm 65, Galatians 3:1-14

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith – for he was a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. – Hebrews 11:8-10

Abram’s life is a great example to us of what it means to daily obey and submit to God’s plan, following Him wherever He leads. Sometimes this means leaving home like Abram and sometimes it means a career change, going back to school, a new ministry position, or a leap into the unknown. Responding in obedience to God’s call requires a great amount of faith, which is exactly what Abram had.

But Abram also had to deal with some fear. He had to learn how to trust God to protect him and to fulfill His promises in His perfect time. Time passed between the promise and the fulfillment of the promise, and Abram had to make a choice to believe in God while patiently waiting on Him.

ABRAM HAD TO OVERCOME HIS FEAR IN ORDER TO GROW IN HIS FAITH.

Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son?” – Genesis 15:1-2a

God promised Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth (13:16). But time had passed, and Abram was confused by the fact that he was still without a son of his own. He called God “Sovereign Lord” showing that he recognized God was in charge, but Abraham was struggling to see past his current circumstances (15:3). God reminded him – my will, my way, in my time. God confirmed his promise again to Abram, telling him his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky (15:5).

ABRAM HAD TO SUBMIT TO THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN ORDER TO TRUST GOD FOR THE PROMISE.

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. – Genesis 15:6

God reminded Abram that the promise for his descendants included the promise for a territory or inheritance. Again, Abram had questions, but he recognized that God was in charge. And again, God confirmed his promise to Abram.

Then the Lord told him, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as your possession.”
But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?” – Genesis 15:7-8

There have been several moments over the last year when I have had to recognize that God was in charge. In moments when fear is pressing in and demanding my attention, I have to acknowledge God as Sovereign Lord and trust Him with the things that scare me the most. I have to find courage when my first tendency is to ask — how can I be sure? I have to trust Him with the care of my family, and I have to place the future in His capable hands.

In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. – Galatians 3:6-7

LIKE ABRAM, I HAVE TO OVERCOME MY FEAR IN ORDER TO GROW IN MY FAITH. I HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN ORDER TO TRUST GOD FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS PROMISES.

Having faith in God does not mean that we will be without questions, and it does not mean that we will never have moments of fear and uncertainty. But having faith in God does mean that we will take our questions to God and then trust Him for the answers, just like Abram did. We will hold on tight to what we do know and believe in God for the rest.

Let’s pray Psalm 65:1-8 together in our own words:

Mighty praise belongs to you, O God!
You are the God who keeps His promises,
for you faithfully answer our prayers.
All of us must come to you.
Though we are overwhelmed by the weight of our sins,
you are gracious to forgive them all.
What joy is available for all you choose to bring near,
for those who live in your holy courts.
What a celebration awaits us inside your holy Temple!
You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,
O God our Savior. (65:5a)
You are the hope of all of us on earth.
By your power, you formed the mountains;
you are armed with your mighty strength.
You quieted the roar of the raging oceans with its pounding waves
and you silenced the shouting of the nations.
From one end of the earth to the other, we stand in awe of your wonders.
From the emerging of the sunrise to the where it sets in the sky,
you inspire shouts of joy!