I loved Sunday’s sermon. Particularly, how my pastor took us from Genesis 12 all the way through Genesis 15. As I listened, the Holy Spirit pointed me back to Genesis 15 and the conversation that took place between He and Abraham and I thought I’d share.
For context, Genesis 15 occurred after Abraham fka Abram rescued Lot from captivity. Abram recovered all that had been stolen from Lot (restoration occurred). For this victory, Abraham was blessed.
Related post: God’s Promise of RESTORATION
Some time later, the Lord initiated conversation with Abraham. He spoke to him and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” (See Genesis 15:1).
The Turning Point
Here is where I wanna draw your attention. The conversation could have ended at God’s promise.
Abraham could have heard God’s promise, hid it in his heart, and chosen not to reply, but he didn’t.
He chose to respond authentically and transparently. The promises were great but Abraham had more on his mind and he chose to share with God. I’m sure you’ve been there where you’ve seen and heard the promises of God but there is a big BUT.
Let’s learn from Abraham.
In response to God’s promise, Abraham said, “What good are all of your blessings when I don’t have a son?…You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” (See Genesis 15:2).
Pretty blunt right? No flowers or cute fluffy words. Abraham got straight to the point. I love the promises but what good is all of it if I don’t have X.
Abraham got real with God and engaged Him in real conversation. As a result, he gave God the opportunity to respond back to him and reveal mysteries he would not have known otherwise. Are you responding to God? Are you giving Him the opportunity to respond to you?
“It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.”
Daniel 2:22 AMPED
Starting in Genesis 15:4, God really started talking! He assured Abraham that he WOULD have his own son as an heir. He expounded and shared that Abraham’s decendants would be more than he could even count. More than the stars in the sky!
When Abraham believed God, God started speaking even more! (I’ll share about that later.)
Be For Real
My point is if Abraham had not been bold enough to say what was actually on his heart, we may have missed the blessing of his testimony.
If Abraham had not engaged with God, he would have missed an opportunity to know and understand MORE. If he had not truly engaged, he would have missed the opportunity for his heart to be put at ease.
That is why I want to encourage you to get comfortable engaging with God authentically. Silence and churchy words are cute, but they are ineffective when dealing with a personal, conversational, relational God. He speaks so you should too.
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”
Hebrews 4:16 AMP
It’s time to let that guard down.
Encouragement
Every question you have, God knows. Every area of concern you have, God knows and it is His pleasure to share with you, but He is not going force Himself on you. Go to the One who knows.
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 AMP
You have to choose to engage WITH Him.
Ultimately, this post is about communication. Learning how to communicate with God and then learning how to do so in an honest and transparent way. As you learn to communicate with Him, it will flow down to your other relationships. ❤️
Biggest hugs,
Ayanna