Focus
Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.
Read
Genesis 15:1-6 (NRSV)
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the LORD came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Reflect
What stands out to me in today’s scripture reading is Abram’s ability to believe God. Abram accepted the truth of God’s promise that he would indeed produce an heir of his own. Abram did not ask God who, what, when, where, why, and how; he simply believed. Because of his belief, God deemed him as righteous. Yes, Abram questioned God in the beginning, but it did not take much convincing to silence Abram’s questions.
What does it take for our questions to be quieted? Do we need actual hard evidence to believe God and all that is promised to us? How does looking at the faith of those who have walked before us and seeing how promises were fulfilled in their lives make a difference? When do you reflect on your own life and recognize the promises God has fulfilled? As the hymn “Standing on the Promises of God” says, when we stand on the promises of God, “the howling storms of doubt and fear assail.”
We cannot fail standing on the mighty promises of God. We may have to wait, just as Abram did, but we can rest assured that God’s promises, no matter how impossible they seem, will prevail.
Pray
O gracious and loving God, thank you for all that you have promised us. Help us to see the many promises you have already fulfilled in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Give us the courage to stand on your promises so that doubt and fear will not prevail. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Go with God.
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