“After 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…”
— Genesis 15:1-6

When Abram rescued Lot, he had just faced down Kedorlaomer and the kings with him! After defeating so great an enemy, he was still afraid. It might be inferred from the rest of this passage that Abram thought he’d see the end of his days without an heir, without a son to remember him. Knowing this, God immediately addressed Abram’s fear.

Abram responds by noting four times that he is without a son. “But Abram said, ‘Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?’” (Genesis 15:2). Before giving God a chance to respond, his fear unbridled, Abram continues, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir” (Genesis 15:3).

The Lord tells Abram, “‘a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.’ He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’” (Genesis 15: 4-5).

“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Wow; this was an intensely personal conversation about a private fear. As the result of God’s assurance, Abram displayed faith and was credited righteousness! Abram’s faith had worldwide and lasting implications!

You may think you have a secret fear, a private fear that eats away at you; this fear might feel like it never leaves you, even after a great victory in your life. God already knows about your fear. If you admit it to Him in prayer, you may find it to be one of the most meaningful experiences of your entire life. It may even change lives someday! The Lord is our shield, our very great reward.  Amen.

REFLECTION
1. What is your private fear?
2. What stops you from talking to the Lord about it?

Marcus Verbrugge is the Seamless Link Advisor for the C&MA’s Central Canadian District, and author of Beginnings—Growing in Prayer through Genesis.