Our turbulent and fallen world can easily cause us to lose perspective of our position in Christ. Abram struggled with this as well and thankfully God recorded it for our benefit.
Summarized from Genesis 14, Abram’s nephew Lot and the people of five kingdoms were captured, along with their belongings, by four enemy kings’ armies. Abram stepped out and saved everyone and retrieved their belongings. Now he did this with 318 of his armed servants. Clearly the odds had been against him yet he prevailed.
At some point, it seems Abram considered what he had done and fear grew in him. The text doesn’t tell us why, but it may be that he realized the enemy kings might eventually come back to fight and overwhelm him and his small number of servants.
Now comes Genesis 15:1.
Genesis 15:1 NKJV After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
The Lord addressed Abram’s fear, and declared his protection and reward.
In regards to fear, the Lord commanded Abram ‘Do not be afraid.’. This was not a suggestion but a command. Why? The Lord declared Himself as Abram’s shield. A shield is a defensive weapon, intended to block one from the effect of other weapons. Psalm 118:6 asks the question “what can man do to me” with the Lord being on my side.
Psalm 118:6 NKJV The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
What was true for Abram is true for us. We are likewise commanded to not be afraid, and for the same reason. The Lord is our shield as well. Consider who He is. He’s the Lord God Almighty, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He can speak and bring anything into existence (Genesis 1). He can speak and calm the wind and waves (Matthew 8:23-27). He can defeat an entire army while they sleep (2 Kings 19:35).
What is this exceedingly great reward? John 3:16 helps us understand.
John 3:16 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
We’re loved by the Father, who sent His Son into the world on a mission to save us. The mission was that Christ died on a cross for us, with His blood taking away our sins. The only requirement for us is that we must believe this and act upon it, and if we do we will have everlasting life.
Everlasting life suggests that we live forever. But if it was only that it would be somewhat empty.
But the everlasting life is that we have a forever relationship based in love with the God who created us for the very purpose of having a relationship with us. John the Apostle tells us what everlasting life is in John 17:3.
John 17:3 NKJV And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
This is similar to the declaration for the Levites (the priests) in Deuteronomy 10:8-9.
Deuteronomy 10:8-9 NKJV
8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to Him and to bless in His name, to this day.
9 Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, just as the LORD your God promised him.)
Do not be afraid, beloved. He is your shield, and your exceedingly great reward.
Version 1.00 – November 6, 2020
Walking with God in The Way 