Genesis_15

 

Scripture

Genesis 15:5-6

And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

 

Observation - What does it say?

At this point in his life, Abram (soon to be Abraham) had left his homeland and travelled as far as Egypt. God has shown him the land of the Canaanites (in chapter 12) and promised him that he would possess this land. Here, God has pulled Abram aside another time to promise him descendants. Abram is 75 years old, and he knows that his wife is barren.

 

Understanding - What does it mean?

Abraham and Sarah show great faith through being willing and through waiting on the Lord. From the time Abraham and Sarah were promised descendants, to the time she gave birth, approximately 25 years had passed. That’s an incredible amount of patience. Not only that, when this promise was made, they had not even begun to live in the land of Canaan yet, let alone take possession of it yet.

 

To me, there are so many insecurities involved in the story of Abraham. He and Sarah don’t have a home, they are way past the age of “trying” to have kids, and the world around them is constantly at war. I have a hard time waiting on God five minutes, let alone 25 years. We don’t do very well with waiting in todays day in age, everything is instant gratification. Hebrews 11:9-12 talks about Abraham and Sarah’s faith. When God said, “Go,” they went not knowing how long He would lead them and through what path He would take them. When God said, “Wait,” they waited not knowing how long it was going to be. But, all that time they trusted the Lord.

 

Through scripture, we know that God has good things planned for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has plans to prosper us. Romans 8:28 tells us that God works out all things for our good. Why is it then, that we have such a hard time waiting on God’s promises for us? It’s because we have a negative view of waiting. We can’t even wait in line for a cup of coffee, we can order it online from our car on the way, pay for it using our phone, and walk straight to the counter to pick it up.

 

We must become people who are actively waiting on God through prayer. Jeremiah 29:12-14 goes on to say, “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes…”

 

Life application

Jesus, I know that when I seek after Your will I will be fulfilled. Help me to become good soil, that is not overcome by the worries of this world. Help me to trust in you and not myself to fulfill my desires. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation. Most of all, meet with me when I pray so that I can be filled with your Spirit.

 

- Tyler Galloway