Sunday Reading: Genesis 15:1
Key Verse: Genesis 151
1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Key Verse: Genesis 151
1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Devotion:
Abraham had been through quite a bit before this... The battle of the kings, the captivity of Lot, the rescue of him and his goods, Sodom and Gomorrah and conversations between him and the kings of Sodom and Salem. I think if I had faced just a few of those things, I would be fearing for my life, finding it hard to sleep at night without waiting for someone to break down the door and do me harm! It is not nice to be in that sort of position; waiting for someone to come knocking at the door to take you away or to take away your possessions. At this time of year there are going to be quite a few people in distress, worrying about who is knocking at the door and asking for some of that money back that has been spent!
Abraham had been through quite a bit before this... The battle of the kings, the captivity of Lot, the rescue of him and his goods, Sodom and Gomorrah and conversations between him and the kings of Sodom and Salem. I think if I had faced just a few of those things, I would be fearing for my life, finding it hard to sleep at night without waiting for someone to break down the door and do me harm! It is not nice to be in that sort of position; waiting for someone to come knocking at the door to take you away or to take away your possessions. At this time of year there are going to be quite a few people in distress, worrying about who is knocking at the door and asking for some of that money back that has been spent!
But Christ (The Word of the Lord: John 1:1) came to Abraham in a vision and spoke to him using his name. When someone friendly you do not know comes and speaks to you by name you are a bit more relaxed because they seem to know you. Christ encourages him by telling him not to give in to the fears that could quite easily overtake him based on all the enemies he now has... He further adds that He is Abraham's shield! God is all powerful. Having Him as a shield means nothing, but nothing, can get through! Now, Abraham had refused rewards for doing his work, so Christ added that He is his reward...
If we are willing to hold up God in faith as our shield, then we will be sure that nothing can harm us. It does not mean that we will not still face everything that we are facing, but that we will be able to face it together! When we face things together, they are made easier. When we hold Christ up in faith, we know He will be giving us our reward – eternal life. Having Christ in front of us, we can know that we have peace of mind and that He will do what is righteous. I know I have Christ walking as my shield, do you?
Points to Ponder:
Do you get scared by others who say they will be horrible to you?
Do you hold up Christ as your shield?
Do you get scared by others who say they will be horrible to you?
Do you hold up Christ as your shield?