“Don’t Be Afraid. I Am Your Shield and Your Reward.”
This week’s message from Genesis 15 reminds us that God does not wait for us to get everything right before he draws near. He meets us in our fear, answers our honest questions, and promises to hold on to us.
Bible Reading: God’s Covenant with Abram (Genesis 15)
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1, NIV)
Abram had just rescued his nephew Lot and knew there could be consequences. Into that moment, God spoke peace. Yet Abram still voiced his doubts. God did not scold him. He pointed to the stars and Abram believed, and it was counted to him as righteousness.
God Answers Our Doubts with a Covenant
Abram also wondered how he would stay faithful. So God asked him to prepare animals, as people did in those days when making a serious promise. Abram fell into a deep sleep, and God alone passed between the pieces as a smoking oven and a blazing torch. In effect, God was saying, “If you fail, may this happen to me.” He would keep the covenant at the cost of his own life.
Two thousand years later, on a hill outside Jerusalem, Jesus made good on that promise at the cross. Jaques encouraged us to make the cross our anchor. Without a firm anchor, we are left shaken whenever life gets rough, and so we gather each Sunday to turn our hearts toward the cross. An anchor does not make us perfect, since Abram stumbled in the very next chapter, but it gives us a place to return to again and again.
An Invitation to Come as You Are
If you feel weak, doubtful or disqualified, this message is especially for you. God knows everything about us, and he chose us before we could choose him. Come to the cross, trust his promise, and let him be your shield, your anchor and your great reward this week.