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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 72

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer." Psalm 4:1

Text: Genesis 15:1-21

THE FIRST RECORDED INSTANCE OF ABRAM’S PRAYER

We have read of four separate occasions when God spoke to Abram. We know that Abram must have spoken to God in prayer, for he erected altars for worship at Bethel (Cf. Genesis 12:8; and at Hebron, Cf. Genesis 13:18). What did Abram say to God in response to all that He had said?

“But Abram said, ‘Lord God, what will You give me,
seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is
Eliezer of Damascus?’ The Abram said, ‘Look,
You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in
my house is my heir!’ ”

GENESIS 15:2-3

1. An appropriately high regard of God

Abram’s prayer revealed a great deal of reverence for God. He was addressed humbly as “Lord God”.

2. A great deal of candour

The prayer of Abram was most revealing. He approached God most candidly. He was bold in pointing out the obvious! God had promised him that he would bless him with many descendants, but as yet, he did not even have one offspring!

3. Faith in God’s Promises

Abram did not disbelieve in God! The very fact that he brought up the question of having offspring, tells us that he had been thinking hard on what God had promised him. He raised the question of children, simply because he could not puzzle out by himself, just what God meant when He said that he would have many descendants!

4. An honest inquiry

Did God intend him to appoint Eliezer of Damascus as his heir-apparent? He was one of the servants born in his household. Thus, he may be said to belong to Abram’s household! Was that God’s plan?

5. A deep relationship with God

Abram had developed his friendship with God to a very great extent! Imagine being able to speak to God in such a manner! Would God be offended? Not if that person had the kind of relationship Abram sustained with the Lord! His faith in God had grown quite significantly – over the years!


TRULY SIGNIFICANT GROWTH

The growth of Abram’s spiritual life was impressive to say the least. He had no one, outside the Lord Himself, to help him cultivate his knowledge of God and his faith! But grow he did, in character, in spiritual discernment and in faith!