Read Genesis 15:1-3 - After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” (NKJV)
God’s word to Abram in verse 1 is powerful. God reminds Abram how He will always be everything that this future “father of the faith” will ever need. But Abram is stuck on a specific area of concern. Abram’s lack of an heir is dominating his thoughts. It’s interesting that this concern has been specifically addressed in God’s promise that Abram will be the father of a great nation. So Abram’s question isn’t an attempt to point out something that he and God have yet to discuss. No, instead Abram is asking when this promise is going to begin. Like Abram, we can struggle with trusting and applying God’s promises to our lives. Our impatience grows when the challenge we face is beyond our ability to resolve. Abram cannot fix Sarah’s infertility and must rely on God. What he struggles to accept is that God really is and will be his shield and great reward.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
National Men’s Leadership Conference: March 8-10, 2012 . Dallas, Texas . www.men.ag.org
No comments:
Post a Comment