Reading: Genesis 15

Abram is struggling. He has fears and doubts (vs 1); he lives among ungodly, hostile people. He still does not have children as God promised, and he is getting older. Other nations occupy the land that was promised to Abram. Therefore God reassures Abram: you will have a son; your descendants will be as many as the stars. Abram “believed in the LORD” and God “accounted it to [Abram] for righteousness”. Here is the very centre of Abram’s relationship with God: first Abram had serious fears and doubts. But now he believes and trusts God completely. God, his saviour, will definitely deliver all His promises. God accounted this faith to Abram for righteousness (that is, God saw him as perfectly obedient). Paul explains in Romans 4 that Abram’s righteousness was not earned by faith, because righteousness is (freely) given by God. The point is that God is pleased to use Abram’s faith to give him righteousness. Paul adds that all who believe will be given this righteousness (Romans 4:24).

 

At the end of Genesis 15 God seals his promises with a covenant ceremony.

 

Key text: Gen 15:6 “And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

 

Question: How does this chapter comfort you?