TUESDAY, June 16, 2009                                                       READ: Genesis 15: 1 - 21                                                                                                        

FATHER ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD

MEMORIZE: ‘Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.         Genesis 15: 5, 6

God Almighty is the Governor of the nations. He sovereignly called Abram, son of Haran, who lived in Ur of the Chaldees, to leave his country, his family, his father’s house and go to a land which He would show to him (cf. Genesis 12: 1; 11: 27-32). We are not told how it happened, but Terah, Abraham’s father decided to leave Ur of the Chaldees and went to Haran, in Syria. Abram remained with his father and family in Haran until Terah died (cf. ) and that is what is being emphasized in 12: 1, 4 – “Now the Lord had said to Abram…So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him.” Here he was, years after God had commanded him, still just setting about going into the land. It seems as if God had to take his father away from him before Abram would begin to obey. When God spoke to him and commanded him in Ur, He gave him as much information as he needed to obey (cf. 12: 2, 3). In 11: 30, we are told that Abram’s wife, Sarai, was barren. It means that they had no children, yet God had promised to make Abram a great nation in the land (12: 2 cf. 9: 27; 12: 6). In 12: 7, the LORD spoke to Abram again, informing him specifically that He would bless him and give the land to him and his descendants. Abram then called on the name of the LORD. In 12: 10 – 13: 13, we are able to see how Abram had his brother’s son with him and went down into Egypt. He returned from Egypt with much from the dowry which Pharaoh had given to him for Sarai. He finally heads back into the land. Abram and his nephew, Lot, separated. After Lot went on his way, God came to Abraham and in 13: 14-17, and gave him the land of Canaan. Abraham is commanded to possess it. In 14: 1 – 17, we see how Lot got into trouble and was rescued by Abram. In 14: 18 – 24, Abram met Melchizedek and paid tithes to Him. Then in our text, Genesis 15: 1 – 21, we are able to see how God assured Abram that He would give a heir who would come from his own body. Abram believed what God promised to him and God entered into a covenant with him. In v. 1, God spoke to Abram and assured him of His faithfulness. He told him, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” God was promising to make Himself adequate for every need which Abram would have. In vv. 2, 3, we see how Abram inquired of the LORD concerning his rightful heir, seeing Sarai was still barren. One born in his house was then his heir. In vv. 4, 5, the LORD assured him that He was able and willing to fulfill the promises that He had made to him about giving him a heir and descendants too many to number. We are told in v. 6, that Abram “… believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (cf. Romans 4: 3, 9, 22; Galatians 3: 6; James 2: 23). What did God mean by that (Acts 4: 12; 16: 31)? Abram became aware that the LORD was actually talking to him about His Son, not just Isaac (cf. 22: 18; Galatians 3: 8, 9, 16, 18). He believed God, that He was not only able, but also willing to fulfill His promise and give him the son through whom His Son would come into the world. Abram believed in the LORD and the LORD accounted, credited it to him for salvation. If God saved Abram and there is salvation in no other, neither is there any other name by which we must be saved, how do people argue that there is nothing beneficial in the Old Testament for any Christian today?

Have you believed in the LORD and trusting Him for eternal salvation (cf. John 1: 12; 6: 28, 29, 40; Romans 10: 9, 10; 1 John 5: 5)? God says it, that Jesus of Nazareth is His Son! Salvation from damnation can only be obtain through faith in Him alone (cf. John 14: 6). Do you believe Him and will you trust Him for salvation from sin?

PRAY:LORD, God Almighty, here I am, like Abram. You have given these exceedingly great promises. I want to take You at Your word and believe in You. Just as You did with Abram, so do with me, LORD! I am asking this in Jesus’ strong name. Amen.