God Takes Note of Sarah

¹The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised.[i] (Genesis 21:1, ESV)

Have you ever been passed over or overlooked?

Were you one of those enviable few who were picked first for teams on the playground? Or, were you left standing until the very last?

These playground dramas continue even in our adult years as we are passed over for promotions or others are recognized over us.

This week I read about a court case from 2004 were a Wisconsin employee won a gender discrimination case because she was passed over for promotion despite excellent performance. Key in the jury’s verdict was evidence of the manager’s history of gender based “humorous” comments such as “Just like a woman to say that;” “You’re being a blonde again;” and “It’s a blonde thing.” The manager also implied that the female employee did not need a promotion because she had a husband to “take care of her” and the manager did not think she would move to another city for a promotion because she had a family (but never asked her about her willingness to transfer). [ii]

God never overlooks or passes over those who love Him.

We all are overlooked or passed over at some point in our lives. A mother or father might overlook a child, but God never will.

Isaiah 49:15 says, “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!”[iii] (NLT)

We are going to look at the life of Abraham and Sarah and see how God never overlooked Sarah even when others did.

The story of Genesis 12 through 20 focuses on Abraham.  God appeared to Abraham and made a covenant with Abraham. It can seem like Sarah is just along for the ride as the focus is on Abraham. Chapter 21 changes focus.  Sarah is the central figure. Verse 1 says, “The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised.” (ESV) The Lord visited Sarah, and did to Sarah.

This word “visited” used here is a translation of a Hebrew word that means to turn one’s attention to with an intention to provide for.  It is used to express the tallying up of a debt when it is time to pay.  God turns His attention on Sarah.

Abraham has discounted Sarah up to this point. It may have been the culture of the time.  It may have been Abraham’s character. Whatever the cause, Sarah was treated almost like property.

When they traveled in Egypt, Abraham let Pharaoh have Sarah.  When he traveled in the territory of the Philistines, he let Abimelech have her.  On both occasions, it was God who intervened and saved the honor and dignity of Sarah.

When Sarah could not produce an heir, Abraham was willing to replace her with Hagar and Ishmael.  The fact that Sarah suggested it herself only serves to point out the place and position a woman had in that society and in Abraham’s household.  Hagar, as both a slave and a woman, had no say, and Sarah was in a position where she was willing to share her husband with a younger woman. Even taking culture into account the impact on Sarah and Hagar’s psyches had to be devastating.

God tells it like it is. Recording history does not make an endorsement by God of what is happening. We see God’s position in the way He responds.  It was God that rescued Sarah from Pharaoh and Abimelech. It was God who insisted that the blessing would come through Sarah. 

Look at chapter 17 of Genesis.  God tells Abraham that Sarai’s name is now Sarah.  In verse 16 God says, “I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her and she shall be a mother of nations.”[iv] (NASB) This sounds a lot like the promise God made to Abraham. 

However, Abraham pleads for Ishmael to receive the blessings. In verse 19, God is firm.  He says, “No, it will be Sarah.” Abraham is looking out for the blessing for himself and his descendants, and God is looking out for Abraham and Sarah as well.

When society, the culture and even your own family overlook and discount you, put your trust in God. He does not forget those who love Him, who are the called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

This truth applies to all of life.  People may overlook or discount you on the job, in school, at home and even at church, but God never will.

Jesus told the story of a shepherd with 100 sheep. One was lost.  The shepherd left the 99 to go and look for the one lost sheep.

The fact that God never overlooks or discounts a single person can be either tremendously encouraging or horribly frightening.

Wednesday morning I pulled up my daily Bible reading email from Biblegateway.com and began to read. The day’s reading started in Jeremiah chapter 51.

Verse 1 of Jeremiah 51 says, “Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon, against the inhabitants of Leb-kamai.” (ESV) Here is a “not so friendly” picture of God.  He is stirring up a destroyer against a people.  You have probably heard of Babylon, but not “Leb-kamai.” This is because “Leb-kamai” is an ancient Hebrew code, similar to our English pig-Latin.  It was used by those in captivity to communicate so that the Babylonians captors would not understand. This “Leb-kamai” points to the land of the Chaldeans.  By using code Jeremiah is referencing the offences against God’s people and the idolatry and violence of the Babylonian people.

As I thought about this reference, I began to look for other code words that Jeremiah was using in his prophecy of judgment.  In Jeremiah 50:21 I found this:

"Go up, my warriors, against the land of Merathaim and against the people of Pekod. Pursue, kill, and completely destroy them, as I have commanded you," says the LORD. (NLT)

This is a “very unfriendly” picture of God. Of special interest are the names: “Merathaim” and “Pekod.”  They are very similar to location names in the area of Babylon, but not exact.  However, the meaning of the Hebrew words is clear. “Merathaim” in Hebrew means “Double rebellion”. God has spoken to and reached out to the people of Babylon for many years. This is the people to which He sent the prophet Jonah years before this.  They repented at the time of Jonah, but the reform did not last.  This is a double rebellious people and God has had enough.  The scary name is the second name.  It is “Pekod.” It is the reason for this long detour.  It is the exact same word we are looking at in Genesis chapter 21.  In Genesis 21 it says that God visited Sarah.  The visit to Sarah was a good thing, a great blessing.  The visit to Babylon was not to be so pleasant. Pekod is the Hebrew word “visit.”

When we set our hearts up in rebellion against God, a visit from Him is a frightening event.

Even God’s servants experience this. Jonah thought he would not go where God told Him, and experienced a very unpleasant visit.  Moses did not circumcise his boys, and God met him on the road and was going to kill him. Ananias and Sapphira thought they would lie to God, and died instantly.

God does not discount any one, not a single person – not Sarah, not Hagar, not anyone.

I like the New Living Translation’s rendering of Genesis 21:1. “The LORD kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised.” He did for Sarah exactly what he had promised.

The story of Genesis 21:1-7 is a story of victory, of laughter and rejoicing.  I love what Sarah says in verses 6 and 7:

 “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!”

God does exactly what He says.  Not a single word He has spoken will fall to the ground. (Matthew 5:18)

As believers this gives us great hope.  We have the assurance of eternal life and a home in heaven because God has said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) We have the hope of God’s help, protection and presence with us wherever we go. He has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) We know our sins are forgiven because He says, “…if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

In Abraham and Sarah’s life God visited and kept His word.  This had a purifying effect.  When God first visited, it led to Abraham leaving his home and family. In following visits Abraham and Sarah were progressively purified. 

When God visited Sarah and did exactly as He promised, it caused another purifying moment.  I am referring to the story of Abraham and Sarah’s separation from Ishmael and Hagar.

This is a sad story.  Verse 11 tells us that Abraham was very upset because Ishmael was his son.  But, Abraham had to let go of what was an idol in his heart.  God’s standard is, “You must not have any other god but me.” (Exodus 20:3, NLT)

Whenever we encounter God, we confront the issue of the idols in our lives. An encounter with God is a purifying event. As we walk with God, He patiently purifies us. The Abraham we meet in Genesis 12 is not the same Abraham that we read about in chapter 21.  The theological term for this process is sanctification.

Some confuse sanctification with salvation.  Such confusion causes unnecessary distress and trouble. When a person asks Jesus to be his or her Savior, he or she may only know that the Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

This is perhaps their first encounter with God.  In this encounter they have understood that they need a Savior.  They may not know anything else, but let me ask a question. Is their salvation dependent on what they do or on what God has promised? If they die not knowing any more, but relying only on the promise of God, will God not keep His promise?

Let us suppose this person does not die and we meet him or her 30 years later. Let us also pretend that nothing has changed.  The person’s life has not changed at all. In other words, there has been no process of sanctification.  This would be a clear indication that there was no encounter with God in the first place.  God is very clear that He disciplines His children. (Hebrews 12:6)

I am far from perfect.  The Lord confronts idols in my life. But, I know that I am saved and am going to heaven. First, I have the Holy Spirit who testifies with my spirit that I am God’s child. (Romans 8:16) Second, I have experienced and know that God disciplines me. (Hebrews 12:6) Third, and most important, I have the promise of God that “all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Do not worry about whether or not you have been overlooked.  You have not been overlooked. Call on the name of the Lord and you will be saved.  “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33, NLT) Do not worry that you can lose your salvation.  God’s promises never fail. Jude verse 24 tells us, “God…is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.” (NLT)

The point is: Put your confidence in God – not in what you can do, not in the church, not in your pastor, not in your job, not in your family – put you confidence in God, God alone.

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[i] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[ii] http://www.boardmanclark.com/reading-room/it-was-just-a-joke/

[iii] Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[iv]Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.

Nothing is Impossible

Is anything too hard for the LORD?[i] (Genesis 18:14, NLT)

Are there things that you have been waiting for, working towards or expecting for a long time? You could be working on a project.  You could be waiting on an investment. Or, you could be praying for a child or a spouse.

I am talking about the kind of thing that you know or are at least fairly certain that God has called you to do, and yet it does not seem like it is ever going to happen. Or, you have committed your family to the Lord, and yet a child or a spouse, is wayward.  You pray and wait upon the Lord, and there is no visible progress.

Abram’s life is a study in waiting on the Lord. No one is going to have the exact same challenges and tests as Abram, but everyone is going to have challenges and tests.

God used the tests and challenges Abram faced to grow his faith.  The first test Abram faced was leaving his home and extended family to go to a place he did not know.  The next test was a famine in the land to which God led him.  The next test was letting go of his nephew Lot, and then there was the test of battle to save Lot.  Through all of these tests Abram was becoming more and more a man of faith.

The biggest test was the test of time.  

When Abram arrived in Canaan, God confirmed this promise: “I will give this land to your descendants.” (Genesis 12:7, NLT) He confirmed this promise to Abram a few years later when he said, “your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” (Genesis 15:4, NLT)

Abram and Sarai waited for the promised heir.  After 10 years of waiting we are told:

     ¹Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. ²So Sarai said to Abram, “The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. ³So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.)

     ⁴So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. ⁵Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The LORD will show who’s wrong—you or me!” (Genesis 16:1-5, NLT)

Ten years of waiting and then Abram and Sarai made a mistake.  

They tried to make the promise happen.

In both Romans 9 and Galatians 4, the Apostle Paul uses Ishmael and Isaac to illustrate the difference between natural effort and receiving the promise.  Ishmael was the child born to the Egyptian slave Hagar.  He represents the slavery that results when a man or a woman works to make the promise happen.  Isaac is the son born later to Abraham through Sarah, and he represents the grace and freedom that results when we patiently wait for God to fulfill His promise.

As we see in verses 4 and 5, from the moment of conception Ishmael was a source of heartache. First, there was the stress in the family because of Hagar’s attitude.  Next, Sarai persecuted Hagar to the extent that Hagar ran away.

Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. (Genesis 16:16)  In chapter 17 of Genesis, we pick up the story of his life 13 years later when Abram is 99 years old. Now he has been in the land for close to 24 years.  (I know that 10 plus 13 equals 23 years, but Ismael required 9 months in his mother’s womb before he was born.  This is where I get the 24^th year.)

Abram has now spent 13 years with his only son Ishmael. In chapter 17 of Genesis, God appears to Abram and says: “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” (Genesis 17:1-2, NLT)

24 years and God is taking action.  He tells Abram to circumcise himself and every male in his household. Abram cannot believe that Sarai can have a child. He will be 100 and she will be 90. At this point, we find a hope that he is holding.  He says to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!” (Genesis 17:18, NLT) And, God says, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac…” (Genesis 17:19, NLT) Abram apparently had been hoping that Ishmael would be the promised heir.

When we attempt to do for God what he has promised to give us these are the results: slavery, heartache and false hope.

This is best illustrated with salvation. God has promised to forgive our sins.  But, many try to do penance or pay for sins in some other way.  God has promised that if we believe in Jesus Christ we will be given eternal life. But, many try to make themselves good enough by cleaning up their lives. All these efforts lead to slavery, heartache and false hope.

However, when God takes action there are different results. Before we look at the results, let’s look at how God took action.

First, God appears to Abram.  

God appears to Abram several times during his life. The Lord appeared to Abram when he arrived in Canaan, when he defeated the kings and rescued Lot and when he was 99 years old. Each time God appeared to Abram he repeated his promise, and then added more information.  The first time it was, “Your descendants will possess this land.” The second time information was added: “You will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” (Genesis 15:4-5, NLT)

When God takes action He first speaks to us, and He expects us to trust Him. This is the way it works with salvation.  God says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) We are asked to take Him at His word.

In Abram’s case, God tells him that he will have a son through Sarai that will be his heir.  God then asks Abram to circumcise himself and all the males in his household.  This was to be an outward or physical sign of the covenant relationship with God. In the beginning of chapter 17, God says to Abram, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.”[ii] (NIV)

The word translated “blameless” is translated “whole” in other places.  For example: Leviticus 3:9 says, “…he shall remove the whole fat tail.”[iii] (ESV) This is speaking of a sacrifice and it is talking about removing the entire backbone with its fat.  From this word “whole” meaning entire, comes the idea of blameless.  It is much more than living by a set of rules.  It is living with integrity or wholeness.  God is not pleased with double mindedness.  His first commandment is: “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)  This is the special relationship to God represented by circumcision.  

God was to be Abram’s God exclusively.

The action Abram was instructed to take was symbolic.  It did not produce results in and of itself.  It was an outward sign of an inward commitment.  The action God took was to give Abram and Sarai new names, Abraham and Sarah.  He also made clear to Abraham both the terms of the covenant and what the next steps were to be.

Time can be the hardest test for us as well.  

We can pray for something for year after year and not see any progress or change.  God expects us to trust Him and to be single minded in our devotion to Him. To illustrate this I want to consider what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 5:2-5:

    ²Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

     ³We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (NLT)

The results of trusting and waiting are unexpected.

Abraham has been waiting 24 years and God tells him that Sarah will have a child in a year.  When Abraham first heard it he laughed at the thought.  Sarah also laughed when she heard it. A 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman were to have a baby.  

Not just improbable, this was impossible.

When Sarah laughed the Lord asked a question.  He said, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14, NLT)

Time was the hardest test for Abraham because it put the promise entirely out of human reach.  He was asked to believe the impossible.

Let’s look again at Abraham’s reaction:

    17Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” 18So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!”

     19But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac…” (Genesis 17:17-19, NLT)

God gave the child the name Isaac.  Isaac means “he laughs.” There was laughter in disbelieve, laughter in amazement and laughter in joy at Isaac’s birth.

These are the results of waiting on God.

Whatever we face, we need to ask the same question that God asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

We have assurances in the Scriptures like: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”[iv] (Philippians 4:13, KJV) And, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, KJV)

Nothing is impossible with God. Tests, challenges and delays will come, but do not doubt in the difficulties what God has made clear to you.  Trust that He will show you the next step.

Jesus said, “…apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NLT)

All things are possible with God.  However, He is not a genie in a bottle or a magic lamp that we can rub and get what we want.  Remember Abraham was told to be blameless.  We cannot have a double mind and expect to get what we want.  The first concern for any of us is to love God with all our heart, soul and strength.  We are to seek God’s kingdom first. (Matthew 6:33)

Pray for God’s will, and trust Him to show you what to do next.  Are you willing to trust Him?

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[i] Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

[iii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved

[iv] Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Bible.

Fear Not

¹After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”[i] (Genesis 15:1, NIV)

Abram lived 4,000 years ago and is known as a great man of faith to this day.

How many men or women can claim such fame?

Whether one fears loss, or desires gain, Genesis 15 shows us the key to Abram’s success. The promise does not lie in great wealth measured in money, but rather measured in relationship with God. Abram enjoyed security, peace and contentment and has become an example to the world of the life of faith.

I want to examine the foundation on which Abram built by picking up the story of Abram’s life in Genesis 15.

Genesis 15:1 says, “After this.” This refers to the account of a military action taken by Abram in chapter 14.

The story goes like this:

After Lot and Abram separated (Genesis 13), Lot settled in the Jordan Valley.  At that time in history this was apparently a lush, fertile valley and the location of two prominent cities: Sodom and Gomorrah.

The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and some of their neighboring cities rebelled against Kedorlaomer king of Elam.  To whom, they had been forced to pay tribute for 12 years. Kedorlaomer brought some allies and came to punish the rebel cities and collect his tribute.  The rebels got spanked.  Kedorlaomer and his allies took all the goods and food from Sodom and Gomorrah and left.  Along with the goods and food, they took some captives as well, apparently to serve as slaves. Abram’s nephew Lot, and all he owned, was among the captives.

Abram heard of the battle and of Lot’s circumstances, and immediately took action.  Gathering 318 men, Abram attacked the victorious army. There have been a few times in history where a small group of men attacked much larger numbers and won. This was one of those times.  We have no record of the battle and how it was won.  We know that Abram divided his forces and attacked during the night.  He and his men completely routed the enemy and chased them out of the country. They recovered all the loot and freed all the captives. Then Abram returned all the recovered goods and food to the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.  He even refused to receive any of it as a gift in payment for his rescue.  His reasoning being that Abram did not want anyone to say, “I made Abram rich.”

This is where chapter 15 starts.  This is the “this” of the “After this” of verse 1.

Think about what Abram has just given up.

He has given up his security.  

He was living in peace and obscurity in his tent near the Oaks at Mamre. Now, He has just made enemies with a mighty king and his allies. This king and his allies had defeated the combined strength of five cities.  We do not know how many men were in their armies, but we can be sure that it was more than the 318 men Abram could muster.

Now that Abram had made such powerful enemies, what was he to do?  He could flee to Egypt, but he had recently been escorted out of the country and would probably not be welcomed back.  He could go back to Ur of the Chaldeans, Oh, but wait – One of Kedorlaomer’s allies was Amraphel king of Shinar.  Oops! No going back there – Ur was located in the valley of Shinar.

Abram had tents, not a walled city in which to hide for security.

“Do not be afraid” is a common phrase when men are addressed by messengers from God.  When angels or God appear to men or women the first response is utter terror.

We have much to fear spiritually.  When Isaiah saw the Lord he cried out, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”[ii] (Isaiah 6:5, NLT) The Bible tells us that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).  It also tells us that the wages of our sin is death (Romans 6:23). I often hear, “How can a good God allow evil?”  Free will is just part of the answer.  The other part is: “He doesn’t.” All evil, all sin, all transgressions against His holiness; will be paid for.

If ever we have reason to fear, it is when we are facing this justice of God.  So why the “Fear not?”

Physically we have much to fear.  It is always something different.  Death is always just one misstep away.  Misjudge the stopping distance in a car, forget to look both ways before crossing the street or take the wrong dose of medicine in the morning; and any one of us can find ourselves dead. Nuclear warfare, chemical warfare and terrorist attacks could happen at any time. If one of these things does not kill us, cancer, Ebola, heart failure, blood clots, aneurisms, and a host of diseases and physical ailments wait to claim our lives.

Abram had similar concerns and four powerful enemies. So why the “Fear not?”

The answer and the first part of the foundation that Abram built upon and upon which we can also build is the first phrase, “I am your shield.” (Genesis 15:1, NIV)

This is the answer for both the spiritual and physical fears common to both Abram and us.

First, God is our shield from spiritual fear.  God, knowing that we could never pay the debt we owe, paid it for us.  The Bible tells us that “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT) Because of this we are assured, “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9, NLT)   This is why John 3:16 assures us that eternal life waits for those who believe in Jesus.  God is our shield and protection from the judgment we deserve for our sins.

Second, God is our shield from physical fear. I am not saying that the things listed do not happen to those who put their trust in God.  However, Romans 8:28 assures us, “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT) Psalm 27 address physical fear when it says, “³Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. . . . ⁵For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe. . .” (NIV) We can trust absolutely in God.  Even when cancer or other disasters strike, those of us who know Him rely on the truth that “The Lord is my Shepherd.” It is because of this that we can say we fear no evil.

Abram’s success in life was built on this foundation of trust in God.  His fears were dispelled by confidence in God as his shield, and yet this did not answer his desire for gain.

The Bible here uses the word “reward.” I am using the word “gain.”

We all need something for which to live, a motivation.  It is different for everybody.  Some are motivated by material gain and the benefits it brings.  Some are motivated by recognition and applause.  Some are motivated by physical pleasure and comfort. Included in the idea of gain and motivation are our desires. The Proverbs say, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12, NLT) This is why the Bible tells us that some people are ruled by their appetites. It literally says, “Their god is their stomach.” (Philippians 3:19)

Abram had given up any reward for having rescued Lot and the other captives. In chapter 12 of Genesis he tells the Egyptians that Sarai is his “sister” in hopes that they will treat him well because of her (Genesis 12:13).  With this we know that gain was definitely part of his motive, and we also know that it worked.  He left Egypt a very rich man. Now, we see a different Abram.  He is not willing to take money and possessions if it means that God does not get the credit for making him rich.

After assuring Abram of his security, God promises Abram his reward. Translators have rendered verse one in two different ways, trying to make it clear. Some translate it, “Your reward will be very great.” Others translate it, “I am your very great reward.” The Hebrew literally is: “Not fear Abram, I your shield to you reward great exceedingly.” Given these words, I think the old King James version nailed it when it said, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” This is why I led with the NIV: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

God, Himself, was to be Abram’s exceedingly great reward.

The Bible warns us not to love the world and the things in the world. (1 John 2:15) The greatest commandment is: “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5, NLT)  Jesus confirmed that this is the first and greatest commandment. This has to do with our desires, appetites and pursuit in life.  In Mark 8:36 it says, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”[iii] (KJV) Here the words profit and loss are used.

Because of His plans, God makes an incredible promise to Abram.  He promises Him the land and descendants as numerous as the stars, but would these descendants be of any benefit to Abram if his soul were lost for eternity? It is the promised seed, that is Jesus Christ, that makes the promises of benefit and meaningful.

Jesus has promised us an inheritance as well. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says:

“³All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, ⁴and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. (NLT)

This goes along with what Jesus said:

 “¹Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ²In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3, KJV)

There is a whole book of the Bible dedicated to the words of the preacher.  It is called Ecclesiastes. It looks at all the profit or gain that one can pursue in the world, and reaches this one conclusion: It is all empty and meaningless. These are the words of the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon.

Compare this with the God who has made us His heirs.  He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Romans 8:31-32 says it best when it says:

³¹What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³²Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? (NLT)

Trusting God is what set Abram apart and made him so famous that he is remembered around the world 4,000 years later.

God does not necessarily have the same plan for you, but He does have a plan.  He is the shield and reward for all who will trust in Him. No matter the fear or desire, will you trust Him today?

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[i] Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide

[ii] Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[iii] Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Bible.