“And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” – Genesis 15:6
When Abraham called upon the Lord in Genesis 15, he was in a time of great distress. In the previous chapter, Abraham had rescued his nephew, Lot, from an army of four kingdoms as well as the goods these armies had looted. Abraham expected a retaliation and in fear for his own life asked, “O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my household is Eliezer of Damascus?”
Time and again Abraham shows us his fear of not having children to pass his wealth to. In Genesis 12, the very chapter God promises to make him the the father of many nations, Abraham lies to the Pharaoh about Sarah being his wife to save his life. In this chapter, Abraham makes known his fears to the Lord. Again, Abraham will lie about his wife in Genesis 20. Does Abraham have any reason to fear death as he does? The Lord says in Genesis 12:2 and Genesis 13:15 that he would have children to be his heirs of blessing. This should have been enough for Abraham, but it was not.
This story makes me think back to everything God has promised me in His Word. It makes me think of the spiritual blessings God promises the believer in the first chapter of Ephesians. It makes me think of the blessings the Lord has blessed me with over and over again. It makes me think of all of the times that He has provided in my life and the lives of those I know. Why is it that we are so quick to forget and so hard pressed to remember?
This story would end with the Lord making a covenant with Abraham, again. This covenant, made culturally like covenants were made in the days of Abraham, showed Abraham again the favor of God in his life. I think it is important for all of us to be reminded in times of doubt that the Lord is with us, that He is faithful to us, and that He is faithful to His Word. The things He has promised us do not become void in time, but are fulfilled in His perfect timing. In times of doubt, as Abraham shows here, all we need to do is pray.
– Josiah