I AM YOUR SHIELD
Quite often, I have church members and staff who send me thoughts and words the Lord gives them. I am always so blessed and love to make them available for others to benefit from. This weeks posting comes from Ps Jess and Jenn Tomac, our Student Ministries Pastors for the ministry. Enjoy!
I desired to write and encourage you all today. We often speak of Melchizedek and the tithe that Abram gave him (Genesis 14). But what did Abram do with the spoils from the battle? Abram gave it ALL to the king of Sodom saying, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich” (Genesis 14:22-23)
What happened next? Immediately following Abrams “resolve” Genesis chapter 15 records “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I AM YOUR SHIELD, YOUR EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD.”
Abram gave it all refusing and fleeing from the appearance that man was his source. THEN the word of the Lord came to him. “I am your. . .” Hmmm! This is radical resolve, with action, causing radical results.
The story doesn’t end here, although that would be completely encouraging to us. It goes on to say that God gave Abram a promise. To outline the extent of this promise He took Abram outside to look at the stars, the impossible task. “Look now toward heaven and count the stars if you are able to number them…so shall your descendents be.” (Gen. 15:5) It says that, “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Gen. 15:6)
Now how many times do you suppose Abram looked up at the stars after this point and said “hey God where are those “stars”?
For a person who gives it all, God gives a promise and a reward. He seems to outline the promise with the impossible task, counting the stars. If we will believe, it will be credited to our account. We are required to be people of radical resolve, a people who know and believe their God.
Look at the result. “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16) Abraham’s reward was much bigger than just an immediate family.
I want to encourage you in a season where you might not be able to always see YOUR “stars”. Believe the Lord!
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)