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)
This episode in Genesis 15, as I understand it, is the first time we’re told of someone having a vision.
What a vision it is. To get such an encouragement from God must be something awesome.
What’s also interesting about this episode is the relationship Abram and God share. It is one where Abram is honest enough to share things with God as though God doesn’t know. “How am I going to get a successor at my age? The only evident option is my servant.” That level of honesty in engaging with God is not done to deny God – it’s him saying something and open to hear what response he’ll get.
Of course it is remarkable that Abram in his condition hears what God says and expresses faith in it. God acknowledges the faith. This is why Abram is the father of faith – he is not perfect, he does not always see what God sees, but he hears what God says and that is enough for his faith to rise.
In the word of God is a promise. In that promise is how the father of faith will be the example of millions and millions of others who will also be examples of faith. The promise was a people. The people was a nation, but the promise has now gone beyond national boundaries. That promise touches me today to know that as I take steps of faith – hearing God and following His words even when the circumstances don’t support it, I am walking in the footsteps of the father of the faith.
To know that every day someone else is going to find out the focus of their faith in Christ and follow in those footsteps is exciting. To faithfully follow in those footsteps is the key.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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