Bookends for living

Genesis 15:1 (NIV)  After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." 

The verses selected for today are like bookends on the shelf of life. This first verse finds God telling Abram not to be afraid. He went on to let Abram know that He (God) was his shield and reward.  Shield against what?  Reward for what?  Who knows?  If Abram was anything like the rest of the human race, he feared many things.  

As a warrior he probably worried about his next battle or the repercussions from the last one. Perhaps his enemies were strong and aggressive, maybe they were small and insignificant, but they were real. Just as ours are real.  One of Abram fears was leaving the world without an heir.  Maybe your fear is similar.  Does infertility hang its hat on the hook in your hallway?

Genesis 15:6 (NIV) Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 


At some point Abram started to believe God.  His life took on new meaning because of his faith. Can you recall when your faith began to take on a new shape, when you felt differently about God and His promises?  A right relationship with God is based on faith.  It is not what we do, but what we believe. It is how we act out our faith by trusting; by surrendering, by giving it to God.

Our actions do nothing to add to our righteousness.  Nothing we can do, no good deed, no noble act, nothing will give us righteousness. The only thing that makes us blameless in the eyes of God is the blood His Son poured out for us.  The blood of the Lamb covered us, blanketing our sin with His goodness and perfection.

When we live our life between these two bookends, Trust and Faith, we are living life to the fullest.

Genesis 15:1-6