SEEKING RIGHTEOUSNESS

"…the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." But Abram said, "O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." Then the word of the Lord came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:1-6

Early on in the book of Genesis, we have examined people living in ways that were and were not in accordance with God’s will and way. From Adam, Eve, and Cain’s sinfulness to Abel, Noah, and Abram’s faithfulness, we have seen plenty examples of what to do and what not to do. In the scripture passage above, we are introduced to the topic of righteousness and it’s important that we understand it as it applied to Abram so we can strive to gain it from God as well.

As our scripture opens, Abram has just rescued Lot from the clutches of the King of Sodom. The Lord comes to him "in a vision" and seeks to comfort him saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." What strikes me as amazing about this is that we don’t have any indication that Abram is afraid about anything but God knows that he is indeed feeling anxiety and stress within. For God knows exactly what we’re feeling at any given time. We need not outwardly express anything nor ask God to enter in. If God feels He should intervene, He can and will. This should be of great comfort to us as we deal with the daily challenges of the world. It’s a real reassurance to know we serve such a loving God who is willing to step in and remind us to "not be afraid" for "I am your shield, your great reward."

After God grants the vision to Abram, we learn what is upsetting Abram. He is concerned because he and Sarai had not bore a child and thus there was no one to inherit his household. With no son, Abram worried about who would carry on his name and keep the family tree growing. The Lord immediately addressed Abram’s concern saying, "…a son coming from your own body will be your heir…Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them….So shall your offspring be." This had to be of some assurance to Abram but he was old and Sarai was considered barren. Surely, anyone would have to feel the odds of what God promised as actually happening were pretty slim….anyone but Abram that is.

For we read that "Abram believed the Lord." There was no doubt in his mind. He knew the Lord was true to His promises and would make a way where there seemed to be no way. And it was this kind of resolute faith that led the Lord to credit righteousness to Abram. Because Abram lived in accordance to God’s will and way, he was considered righteous in the eyes of the Lord. The key is living right and apart from God we can’t do that.

So keep in mind three important keys from the scripture above:

1. God knows about everything you think and feel. You can try to conceal it all you want and you may do a great job of keeping your fears, stresses, and anxieties from others but you can’t hide what goes on inside from God.

2. God will enter in and bring comfort. Abram didn’t have to call out to the Lord before the Lord’s comfort came to him. The Lord will enter into our hearts and minds anytime He sees fit to do so.

3. A rock solid, unwavering faithfulness in God and what He can do for us in any an all situations draws us closer to living righteously in accordance with His will and way.

So what are you going through today? Are you willing to let go and let God enter in, bringing comfort and the way clear of whatever you’re going through? Can you show the kind of faith that believes without doubt that God is capable of doing any and all things in your life? The Lord wants to credit you with righteousness just as He did Abram. Trust in Him, live for Him, draw ever closer to Him as you live each and every day He blesses you with and you’ll be well on your way to being in and staying in His favor.

In Christ,

Mark

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