Devotional Index

January Devotional

Genesis 15:1

Gen. 15:1 "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." God promised to shield and reward Abram (better known to us as Abraham). Abram asked God, "what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless?" Abram was between 75 or 80 years old and Sarah was 10 years younger. Like Hannah (I Sam. 1) and the elderly Zacharias and Elisabeth (Luke 1), their hearts ached to have a baby. There are many childless couples today who understand exactly what that longing is like. The birth of a baby is such a joyous experience that the discomfort of pregnancy and the extreme pain of childbirth is quickly forgotten (John 16:21). To have children is fulfilling and rewarding. To see them grow, learn, and express their own unique personality and abilities, brings delight to parents. Why have some people in our day despised babies as parasites, penalties, burdensome, and a disruption to their plans? The answer is simple selfishness. And that is the character of sin.

In the Gen. 15 passage, God told Abram to "look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them...so shall thy seed be." This promise did not begin to be fulfilled until Abram was 99 and Sarah was 89. Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90. Sarah died at 127, and Abraham died at 175. Lifespans were much longer in those days. Sometimes we may have to wait many years to receive the answers to our prayers. For Abraham and Sarah it even seemed that all hope was gone. The Bible says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (Rom. 4:3.) Righteousness is imputed through faith. We also have righteousness imputed to us, "if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Rom. 4:24-25.)

Thousands of stars are visible to the naked eye, and with telescopes, millions, and even billions of stars can be seen. Truly, Abraham's seed has exceeded that which may be seen with the naked eye. God keeps his promises. Trust in the Lord. Take your problems and desires to the Lord in prayer. Be patient while you wait for the answers to come. Rejoice with those who are being used of God to bring children into this world. What a miracle it is! Make known to every person that through faith in Jesus Christ, his death, burial, and resurrection, God imputes righteousness unto us forever.

Robert Johnson
BFLW & Access Women's Center Board Member