Series Introduction: 

Today we will be continuing our sermon series on the life of Abraham. Last week we read about how Abram resolved a conflict with his nephew Lot after their households grew too large to stay together. Rather than allowing their families to fight amongst themselves, Abram suggested they respectfully go their separate ways. Despite being the patriarch of the family, and the rightful heir of the promised land, Abram generously allowed Lot to choose his land first. Lot selfishly decided to live in the Jordan Valley because it had abundant resources, despite being close to the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abram selflessly accepted the less fertile lands. However, God assured Abram that He would bless Abram and his descendants. 

Lot's choice of land turned out to be a poor choice. We did not cover this last week, but in Genesis 14, we are told about a war between neighboring kings. Because Lot had moved his household next to these wicked kingdoms, he was taken captive. Abram and his trained men rescued Lot with God's help. After winning the battle, Abram met Melchizedek, a priest of the Lord, who blessed him. The king of Sodom also tried to reward Abram, but Abram refused. Abram did not want to be loyal to any earthly kingdom. He wanted everyone to know that his victory came from God alone. 

When we pick up today in Genesis 15, we will see that, even though Abram was a man of great faith, he still struggled with doubts. It had been more than ten years since Abram abandoned his old life to follow God, yet he had not been blessed with any children as God had promised. How would he take the promised land and become the father of nations if he had no children? As we will read, God reassured Abram through a vision that he would have a son and inherit the land promised. 

Scripture Reading:

Genesis 15:1-21: After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." 2 But Abram said, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir." 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir." 5 And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

7 And he said to him, "I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess." 8 But he said, "O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" 9 He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then the Lord said to Abram, "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."

17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites."

Introduction:

From personal experience and the testimonies of many other saints, I know that sometimes the most challenging spiritual battles come after great spiritual victories. One would think that the opposite would be true, but when we are tired and spent, the enemy loves to creep in and plants seeds of doubt in our minds. This was the case with Abram. He had seen God's faithfulness over and over in his life. Still, in the aftermath of a great victory, Abram began to wonder when God's big promise would come to pass. 

At Vacation Bible School this week, we learned about the Armor of God, which has many parts. There was a belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and a shield of faith. 

When talking about the shield of faith, the Apostle Paul wrote: 

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. - Ephesians 6:16, ESV. 

This piece of the Armor of God ties into our sermon series this morning. Abram had won an earthly battle, but the enemy was now launching a spiritual battle against Abram. Flaming arrows of doubt were assaulting Abram, and he needed reassurance from the Lord. 

The Shield of Faith (15:1)

Our passage this morning begins with a powerful declaration from God: 

Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great. - Genesis 15:1

The good news begins with a command, "Fear not." This is a command that God would give to His people again and again in the Old and New Testaments. The prophet Isaiah, who lived during especially fearful times, often relayed this message to God's people. 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10, ESV

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. - Isaiah 43:1b-2, ESV. 

Fear is one of the emotions that dominate our culture today. Sometimes fear can show up as anger, anxiety, worry, and stress. However, doubt is always closely connected to fear. Fear comes from doubt in God's goodness or in His ability to care for us. We fear because we do not have enough faith. 

Jesus himself taught this truth to his disciples when he said: 

Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:25-35, ESV. 

This is all well and good, but if you have ever been trying to comfort someone wrestling with fear and doubt, you know that saying "Fear not" or "Do not be anxious" does not typically help the situation. Notice, however, that God and Jesus never merely say, "Don't worry." They always remind us why we do not need to fear. They do this by pointing to themselves and reminding us of their character, goodness, and promises. "Fear not, for I am with you" (Isaiah 41:10, ESV), "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine" (Isaiah 43:1, ESV), "Do not be anxious… [because] your heavenly Father knows all you need" (Matthes 6:25-35, ESV). 

We see the same thing in this promise given to Abram. Fear not because I know your name. Fear not, because your reward will be great. Fear not because I am your shield. At Vacation Bible School, we learned that a shield's job is to protect and defend us. A shield gets between us and the things that would harm us. As the Psalmist and the author of Proverbs wrote: 

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Ps. 18:1-2, ESV

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. - Proverbs 30:5, ESV.

Another thing we learned at Vacation Bible School is that God's Word is always true. When we feel fear and doubt creeping in, we can look to God and remember His goodness and faithfulness. God is not a liar and will never let us down. If we go through hard times, He will be with us and see us through to the end. God promised to reward Abram greatly, and Abram could trust that God would keep his word. Still, in a moment of discouragement, Abram expressed his doubts to God. 

Belief and Assurance (15:2-6):

But Abram said, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir." - Genesis 15:2-3, ESV

Abram was discouraged by his continued childlessness. God had promised him a son, but after ten years of waiting, the son had not come. Like Abram, we can go through tough times when we feel overwhelmed by our emotions and doubts about God's promises. During these moments, we may need a fresh experience with God to feel His presence and receive reassurance from His Word. Thankfully, God always comes to meet our needs, and the depth of our experience with Him matches our needs. This was true for Abram, and it is always true for those who genuinely follow God.

Abraham worried that in his old age, he would die childless. He worried that if God did not hurry up, God would not have time to keep his promise to Abram. In a world that often demands instant results and immediate gratification, waiting patiently for God's perfect timing can be challenging. This is especially true when, from our limited human perspective, we worry that time is running out. We often forget that God is never in a hurry nor late in keeping His promises. We may not understand God's timing, but that is because we cannot see or know everything. We are not called to understand all things but to trust God in all things. In the upcoming weeks with Abram and Sarai, it will become evident that we bring upon ourselves needless stress and heartache when we lack faith in God's plan and attempt to force events to align with our plan and timing rather than His.

The greatest example of trusting in the Lord's timing can be found in the centuries leading up to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. God sent His Son into the world forty-two generations after Abraham was told he would be the father of a nation that would bless the world. The descendants of Abraham, the Jewish people, had waited centuries for the promised Messiah, and many had lost hope. But at the appointed time, God fulfilled His promise in a humble manger in Bethlehem. Through the birth of Jesus, God demonstrated that His timing is perfect and that His plans unfold according to His divine wisdom. This remarkable event reminds us that God's timing is always worth the wait, no matter how long it may seem.

Even today, we are living in days of waiting. Christ told us that he would return and set everything right one day, but we do not know the hour or day. Though we may struggle to understand, we can trust that God's timing is perfect. Let us, therefore, be patient, faithful, and persistent in our prayers, knowing that God's plans for our lives will unfold in His perfect timing. Let us believe in the words of God and trust in his promise. 

The Lord, seeing Abram's doubts, spoke to Him:

And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir." And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. - Genesis 15:2-6, ESV. 

The statement, "he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness," holds significant weight in the book of Genesis. It firmly establishes that faith in God's promise is the key to righteousness.

For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, - Romans 4:3-5, ESV. 

The author of Hebrews tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. 

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. - Hebrews 11:6, ESV. 

The good news is that even imperfect individuals can attain righteousness by genuinely trusting God with their heart, soul, and strength. When we put our faith in our good works, we are trusting ourselves to be our own savior, and scripture is clear that we cannot save ourselves. However, when we place our faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, we can rest assured that our righteousness and salvation are in the hands of one who never fails to keep His promises. 

This scripture reiterates that from the beginning, there has only ever been one way to obtain righteousness before God: through faith in Him. When a person genuinely places their faith in God, their faith is counted as righteousness, as was true for Abram and other believers of the past and is still valid for us today.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ - Romans 5:1, ESV.

For he hath made him [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him - 2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV.

The Promised Land (15:7-21)

As Abram gazed upon the starry night sky; his faith was renewed. He believed in God's promise that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars. He saw beyond the stars and recognized the greatness of God himself. If God could set the stars in the heavens, surely He could give Abram the offspring He promised. The Lord spoke to Abram and reassured him: 

 I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess. - Genesis 15:7, ESV.  

In response, Abram asked the Lord about the land: 

But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” - Genesis 15:8, ESV. 

Just three verses prior, Abram was commended for his faith, so I do not believe Abram was questioning God's ability or goodness in verse 8. I believe Abram merely wanted to know how such things would happen. Abram knew God was able, but he did not understand how these promises would come to pass. I believe this request is similar to the request a father once made to Jesus Christ: 

 I believe; help my unbelief! - Mark 9:24b, ESV. 

God then asks Abram to do something that seems very strange to modern readers: 

He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. - Genesis 15:9-10, ESV. 

While we might read this and scratch our heads in concussion, this command was clear to Abram because it aligned with a common custom in his Mesopotamian homeland. In that culture, when two parties made an important covenant (or promise), they would perform a public ritual to make their covenant official. This involved killing a donkey, dividing it into two parts, and arranging the halves so that the covenanting parties could walk between the divided body of the animal. This ceremonial act symbolized a self-imposed curse, signifying that they would become like the divided donkey if either party broke the pledge. That may sound extreme today when a person's word often carries little weight; however, back in Abram's day, a covenant promise was a serious affair, as were the consequences of breaking it.

Abram was unsure how God would show up for the covenant, but he did as the Lord commanded. We even read that he had to drive away birds of prey who tried to come down and eat the carcasses that were prepared for the ceremony.

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. Then the Lord said to Abram, "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. - Genesis 15:12-14, ESV. 

God informed Abram that his descendants would face a difficult trial to acquire the land. They would be enslaved for four centuries in an unknown land, later identified as Egypt. The Hebrew word "afflicted" used in this prophecy is the same word that described the harsh treatment of the Israelites in Egypt as they constructed cities for Pharaoh during the exodus. In the days of Moses, Egypt was punished for mistreating Israel with ten plagues. As Israel left in the exodus, they ended up "plundering" the Egyptians just as God told Abram they would. For us, this is ancient history, but for Abram, these events would not come to pass for several generations. 

"When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces" - Genesis 15:17, ESV. 

This remarkable event is what theologians call a theophany, a visual manifestation of God's presence. Moses experienced this in the form of a burning bush. At Sinai, the Israelites stood in amazement as the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, and the LORD descended upon it in fire. When the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, God revealed himself as the pillar of cloud by day and the cloud of fire by night. These powerful displays of divine presence serve as a reminder of God's greatness and His unapproachable holiness. 

Then the glowing furnace, which symbolized God's presence, moved, down the aisle lined with the animal parts that glistened in the fire's light. To Abram's amazement, he was not asked to walk through the covenant ritual. God alone took the covenant vow. 

This is what is called an unconditional or unilateral covenant. If God and Abram had both taken the covenant, then the covenant would have been made null and void if either party failed to hold up their end of the bargain, but that is not how God works. God was saying to Abram that if He did not keep His promise to Abram, then God would be cursed. God would keep His word, even if Abram failed to live up to God's calling for Him. But what does this mean to us? 

The Bible states, "if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3:29, ESV). This means that you are part of Abraham's family and will eventually reach the ultimate land of heaven. Like Abram, we can only come into this promise by faith. However, God has already done everything necessary for your salvation by sending Jesus Christ to be our Sacrifice, Savior, and Lord.

Time of Decision: 

As we reflect on the life of Abram, we are reminded of the profound truth of God's faithfulness and His plan for redemption. This passage lays the foundation for our understanding of the Gospel and invites us to respond in faith and obedience. Today, I invite you to consider your own response to God's call.

Just as He did with Abram, God has made a covenant with us through Jesus Christ, our Savior. The New Testament speaks of Jesus's ultimate sacrifice on the cross, which sealed this covenant. Through His death and resurrection, He has provided us with a way to have our sins forgiven, our relationship with God restored, and the gift of eternal life. We can be made righteous, not by our good works, but by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Just as Abram believed God's promise, we too are called to place our faith in Jesus Christ. We are called to believe in Him as our Lord and Savior, acknowledging that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Through faith in Jesus, we can experience the fullness of God's love and grace. Like Abram, you do not need to understand everything today; you only need to trust God and to take that first step of faith. 

Today, I urge you to respond to God's call with faith and obedience. If you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so now. Embrace the saving grace He offers, surrender your life to Him, and commit to following Him as your Lord. If you have already made this decision, I encourage you to examine your life and ask yourself if you are walking in obedience to God's Word. Are there areas where you need to submit to His will and align your life with His teachings?

Remember, the Gospel is not just a historical event—it is a personal invitation from God to enter into a covenant relationship with Him. Let us respond to this call with open hearts, genuine faith, and unwavering obedience. May we live as a people transformed by the power of the Gospel and bring glory to God through our lives. Amen.

Prayer of Decision:

Father God, we come before You reminded of Your covenant and the promises fulfilled through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Lord, we confess that we are sinners in need of Your forgiveness and redemption. We acknowledge that Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, has provided the way for our sins to be washed away and for us to be reconciled with You. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah who came to save us from our sins.

Lord, we lift up those who have yet to respond to the call of the Gospel. Soften their hearts, open their eyes to the truth of Your Word, and draw them to Yourself. May they encounter the transforming power of Your love and experience the joy and peace that come through faith in Jesus.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We stand in awe of Your grace and mercy. May our lives be a living testimony of Your redeeming love, shining brightly for Your glory. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.