God Encourages Abram and He Believed
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
7/15/2018 PM
|
Text:
|
Genesis 15:1-6
|
Psalters: |
226, 398, 87, 248 |
- Fear relieved.
- God addresses Abram with “Fear not.”
- It is “after these things,” i.e., the disappointment of Lot not coming back, but re-settling in Sodom, so he is still alone.
- The next verses imply that Abram was very concerned about the lack of children (3).
- God gives Abram two reasons for not being afraid.
- One, “I am thy shield” which is defense against present attacks.
- “And thy exceeding great reward” over against the reward of the spoils of the battle just won.
- The knowledge of this spiritual reality is to overwhelm us, so the present afflictions and tribulations are put in perspective.
- The way in which God is Abram’s shield and reward is the declaration that He will fulfill His promise to give him a son.
- During the ten years of waiting for the promise to be fulfilled, Abram began to think of other possibilities.
- Amazingly, God assures Abram that his heir will “come forth out of thine own bowels” (4).
- God gave an added assurance by pointing to the stars (5).
- This promise is the gospel promise of humanly impossible gift of Jesus Christ.
- Abram believed and God blessed Abram’s faith (this verse is quoted in Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; James 2:23).
- Abram “believed in Jehovah.” He believed that God would keep His promises of a son (what he could not see).
- And God “counted it to him for righteousness.” (“counted” Rom. 4:3; “accounted” Gal. 3:6; “imputed” James 2:23).
- Abram “believed,” i.e., he performed the act of saving faith when he believed on God Who graciously justifies the ungodly.
- “Righteousness” is to be right in God’s sight; to be 100% in harmony with God’s law in his inner and outward life.
- God gives to a man credit for faith, for believing, as if it were righteousness. God declares that faith righteousness.