BIBLE READING

Genesis 15:1-6 NIV

[1] After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, a your very great reward. b” [2] 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? ” [3] And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” [4] Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir. ” [5] 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.” [6] Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Isaiah 55:8-13 NIV

[8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways ,” declares the Lord. [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. [10] As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, [11] so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. [12] You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. [13] Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord ’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

REFLECTION

Yesterday we left this conversation between God and Abram with God declaring: "I am your shield and your very great reward." I'm sure Abram really appreciates this, however it's not addressing the biggest concern dominating his mind and heart which is: after all these years, why does he still have no son?:

"But Abram said, ‘Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless....‘You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." (vv 2-3)

I don't think Abram is being unappreciative for all God has done for him and given him. It's just that there's a significant promise he's been hanging onto for a long time, a word from God he's waiting on seeing fulfilled, and from his perspective, God isn't coming through.

That can happen, can't it? We can be blessed in so many different ways by God and be genuinely thankful for every one of them, yet there's this unfulfilled longing, this dream in our hearts, this promise we have been clinging to, this prophetic word we received years before and we just can't let it go. We feel ungrateful even mentioning it because of all we do have. Yet, in our quieter moments, in our silent prayers, we wonder will we ever see it come to pass.

First of all, we need to make sure it actually was a promise from God and not just our wishful thinking. Sometimes we desire something so much we assume that God told us it would be ours, when in fact that's not the case. If so, it's OK to admit that, and even, as long as it's a good desire, to pray that God would bring it to pass.

In Abram's case, God spoke very clearly, and will do so again here.

In our case, if it was really a word from God, we should go to Him and ask Him about it. It's OK to ask Him questions. In fact, I think He likes it. That's one aspect what real relationship and deep friendship involves after all.

Then we wait and trust, knowing that no matter how long:

"...my word that goes out from my mouth:

it will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

God always keeps His word, He cannot lie, His promises will come to pass. Dust off some of those promises today and remind God what He has spoken; declare them afresh over your life; prophesy them over your future; praise God for His word and His faithfulness.