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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 71

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2

Text: Genesis 15:1-21

A FOURTH WORD FROM GOD

Again and again, God spoke to Abram. In the previous text, we were not told as to the means God employed when He spoke to Abram. In this text, we are told that He spoke to Abram in a vision.

“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 exceedingly great reward.”

GENESIS 15:1

1. The concept of a “Vision”

One of the basic ideas associated with the word “vision” is “to see”. Closely associated with the idea of “vision” is the word “appear”. Thus in Abram’s second encounter with God, we read that He “appeared” to Abram (Cf. Genesis 12:7).

Abram did not physically see God. However, in a special spiritual sense, he did “see” Him.

2. The Communication of another word

In this “vision” or “appearance” God encouraged Abram to think along the following lines.

a) “Do not be afraid”

Was it possible for the coalition of evil kings to return and avenge themselves of the humiliation they suffered under the hands of Abram? Yes! However, Abram was not to live in dread or fear!

b) “I am Your shield”

It was El Elyon, the Most High God, who enabled Abram to gain victory over much larger forces! That God was Abram’s shield when he went into battle! That same God would always be His shield! What words of comfort these were! Surely fear is dispelled!

c) “Your exceedingly great reward”

Abram did not profit from his war expedition. He refused the wealth, the reward that was rightly his. He had allowed Lot to choose the fertile plains of Sodom as his inheritance. It would seem that he was “poorer” for the bargain! God assured him otherwise! The Lord Himself was His “great reward”!


CONTINUING INSTRUCTION OF ABRAM

It is obvious that God appeared to Abram for a definite purpose. Much more than just giving him a necessary boost in his faith and confidence, the Lord was in fact instructing him further in his faith. He was teaching through special divine revelation great truths about Himself. Deep spiritual knowledge of God, an ever deepening faith in Him was Abram’s great reward – not physical or material things!