Questions and Covenant: Day One

You are going to need your Bible today.
Genesis 15 is one of my (many) favorite chapters in the Bible. It is the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan for humankind. I am always amazed at how carefully God planned our Salvation and how creatively and lovingly He wove His plan into Scripture. He could have written a "How to Manual" but He chose to write a Love Letter. The repercussions of what took place in chapter 15 reverberate throughout the entire Scripture. Theologically speaking, it introduces the concepts of faith and covenant, for Abram (and us too) it is the calming of fears. I hope you find this weeks study as wonderful as I do, and that you see the God who wrote it as beyond Awesome.
We're going to start with a very tiny piece.
Read Genesis 15:1.
Look back at Genesis 14, what had just occurred?
It might seem strange that God came to Abram to calm his fears after conquering the 5 kings, but then again from the human perspective he had just made enemies of 5 powerful kings. Abram was no fool, he knew he had won the day because the LORD was with him, but unfortunately that knowledge didn't win over his emotions. Abram had stepped out in faith, he didn't attack the 5 kings completely unprepared, but he also didn't take the time to really think about it (or to talk himself out of it). Afterward, when he looked back on what he had done, it's not surprising that fear would creep into his heart. He and his 318 men had managed what 4 other kings had failed to do, but now there were 5 angry kings and Abram had no way of knowing if they were running home, tails between their legs, or plotting revenge. Hindsight might be 20/20 but sometimes our emotions can distort the view?
Have you ever taken a step of faith that turned into a great personal victory only to look back and see all the dangers you could have fallen into if God hadn't been there?
It is unbelievable to me how quickly Satan attacks after a moment of triumph. Fear and pride are so easy to fall into once we've had a moment to think about what just took place.
My husband and I were in a horrific car accident some years back. We were hit head on on the interstate (we were going the right direction). By what was clearly the hand of God, after flipping and rolling into the median we landed on our wheels with no greater injury then some bruises. By all accounts it was a miracle that we were alive let alone virtually unharmed. The next day in Church we praised God for His saving mercy and celebrated with our friends His great love.
I think it was only a matter of day after the accident, when I began to think about it, that the trauma of what had happened hit me. More then the fear that I could die was the realization that my husband could die and leave me. From the moment that fear entered my heart it grew like wildfire. If he was out of my sight (say working to put a roof over our heads and food on the table) I was a mess, terrified that something would happen and I'd be without him.
God had done a miracle in my life by sheltering me and my husband from what could have been a fatal blow yet rather then joy all I had was fear.
God had given Abram a sound victory but he was afraid. He was probably wondering if God was going protect him from the repercussions. How quickly we forget the faithfulness of God.
"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse..." Genesis 12:3a
From the first time God spoke to Abram, He had promised that He would protect him. Abram had nothing to fear God was on his side. Thankfully God is patient beyond measure and very aware of our human frailties. God knew that fear had crept into Abram's heart so God came to him to bring him peace.
"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, and your very great reward." Genesis 15:1
Can you imagine the LORD in His infinite power, Creator of the Universe, speaking such gentile and loving words to you. He is our shield, our protection, and security. He is our strength when it seems like the world is attacking us. He is also our very great reward, our treasure and our future. What a blessed reminder that He is the lover of our soul, He speaks words of peace into our fears and calms our hearts.
It was God's Word that washed my fears aways as well. A dear friend recommended to me a councilor. This was no sit on a couch and tell her how you feel counceling. I had tapes to listen to, books to read and questions to answer, all of it straight from the Bible. Peace is found in Jesus. God's Word is the only thing that gives us lasting peace and can calm our fears.
Abram may have gotten to hear the voice of God in a vision (and I have to admit that would be amazing) but we have His perfect and complete Love Letter. Every word is straight from His heart to bring nourishment to ours.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10