Transcribed from a journal entry of my bible study from July 14, 2020.

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After what happened previously, the Lord appeared to Abram in a vision and He said,

“Do not fear, Abram, I am a SHIELD to you; your REWARD shall be very great.”

• Fear still creeps in even for a God-fearing man like Abram. It didn’t say in the passage what Abram is fearful of, but it displayed that the Lord knows our circumstances, thoughts, wants, and desires. He gives us an assurance that He is our SHIELD (defender), He is with us even if we fear what lies ahead, and even in tough times or the unknown.
• God promised Abram great reward (blessings) → God will graciously provide us blessings, and this is assured when we obey Him

“And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Then he believed in the Lord; and He credited it to him as righteousness.” —Genesis‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬-‭6‬‬‬

• (v. 4-5) God promised Abram that he would have his own son, and his descendants would be as many as the stars in heaven – uncountable
  • God promised and rewarded Abram more than he could imagine.
• In v, 2, he was asking God what else would He give him since he is childless and of old age. It was his desire to have offspring, and God will grant him not only one but many descendants. Nothing can stop God from doing what He promised!
  • but it is up to us if we will believe in His word and claim His promises
• (v. 6) It was Abram’s belief in God that the Lord saw as righteousness. It wasn’t good works or actions. It is faith in the Lord.
  1. Place our faith & trust in God, believe in Him + His word (have a right relationship with God)
  2. Right actions (good works) will come out naturally when #1 is met
• (v. 8) Abram asks God for assurance that He will indeed do what He says, and that Abram will possess it. Sometimes we also feel the same and wonder if we will receive the things we have been praying for. The assurance is if it is aligned with what the Bible says (God’s word), then it is guaranteed. If it is aligned with what God wills for us, it is a yes.
  • The way to know His will is through reading the Bible

God’S Covenant with Abram (verse 18)

• He showed Abram a sign to confirm that this is all true and will happen
• God has given the land (a huge one!) to Abram’s descendants; it must really be THAT many!

Lessons Learned

• God knows us fully. Whenever we are faced with fears, anxieties, sadness, discouragement, etc., God assures us that He is with us and He is our shield. Look up and hold on to God whenever we feel this way, and He will comfort us and give us His peace.
• When God promises something, it will be fulfilled. When we pray for something that is taking too long or does not seem like it will happen, continue to have faith and don’t lose hope. Even if it is not how we imagined, God will surely follow through with His promise with something GREAT!
• Be confident and diligent in our prayer life and quiet time with the Lord. Don’t let our thoughts and actions be swayed by the worries of this world, the flesh, or the lies of the enemy (devil). Anchor our all in Christ and we will not be shaken. ⭐️

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