Faith
Genesis 15
Gen 15:13-14 Then the
Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in
a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be
afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation
that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.”
NOW faith is the
assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews
11:1)
God
promises two extraordinary things to Abram in this chapter. First, he reaffirms
his promise to Abram that his descendants will be greater than the stars in the
sky. Second, he promises to Abram that his descendants will be in a foreign
land for 400 years. In that time, God will afflict the people of the land, and
his people will leave there with great possessions.
That
is exactly what happened to the Hebrews in Egypt. Exodus tells you that story
in all the details of Moses administering God’s justice over Egypt. It defines
the first Passover, and it tells of the great wealth the Hebrews took with them
as they left that land.
God’s
promises are promises of provision—a huge nation of people, a rescue from
slavery and great wealth to aid them on their journey.
God
is not a casual, flippant promise-maker. He commits to Abram with a very personal
ceremony as he walks between the sacrificed animals. God has a plan to bring mankind
into a personal relationship with him. He called on the person Abram to use his
faithful heart to be the foundation of his redemptive plan.
Yes,
Abram believed God would come through with the acts of very impossible promises.
And God credited his belief to him as righteousness.
What
is God saying to you? Do you believe him?
LIFE Link: Faith grows and strengthens when you
exercise it.
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