God's Covenant

Genesis 15: 1-21 God's Covenant with Abram
The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, and He said "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."

In thinking about these words, I am comforted by God's gracious beginning; fear not. There are times when I am afraid, but there are more times when I fret, or I worry, and these words are a beacon of light. Fear not, I am your shield. I once heard someone talk about a shield. A shield is very useful, for going forward. It protects you when you face your challenge, and it saves you from an oncoming danger. It is not useful when you retreat, and turn your back against your enemy.

In thinking about Babel, the Lord said go forth, and they (we) said no, let's stay here. Who knows why, were they afraid? Were they complacent? We already considered if they were arrogant. But I don't think they considered that the Lord was their shield.

This is God's Covenant. Abram doesn't bargain with God. God gives this news graciously to Abram. It isn't as if Abram had anything with which to bargain, although speaking from experience, I know that sometimes I think I can bargain, and I've heard others talk about the idea that I'll do this, if God does that. In this passage we see God does. Sort of like in the beginning...God. God creates.

God says to Abram in this vision great shall be your reward, and Abram says 'what can you give me? Hadn't you noticed I have no children?' (And we remember Abram was already 75 years old, and even if people lived longer, 75 was still beyond normal child-bearing age.)

God lets Abram know that a relative won't be his heir; a child of his own will be his heir. On top of that here is a beautiful picture for us to ponder:

God brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

Have you ever looked at the stars on a clear night? Where I live looking at the night-time sky is awesome using that word to mean I find myself in awe of the large grand expanse of constellations. No, I can't number the stars. I can't even keep track of which one is which while I watch: But apparently God can, because he tells Abram that your offspring will be more numerous than all of that. Abram didn't have the dilute sky we see from a city at night, Abram had the sky in all its vast undiluted grandeur, and he could understand the implications.

And Abram believed God. That's what this says. Abram believed the Lord and it was counted to him as righteousness. Notice Abram didn't have to do anything other than believe God.

Today, I pray we believe the Lord. He is our shield, do not be afraid. Against all odds, believe.
See you tomorrow
-maggie