Daily Devotion, June 3, 2020

Devotion: Read Genesis 15:1-6.

When telling the stories of the great-grandparents from photo albums, we perhaps overlook the turning points in their lives which made all the difference for the generations who follow.

The scriptures give us pictures in our “Family of Faith” Album. Out of God’s promise to him, Abram (later to be named Abraham) is often referred to as the father of many nations.

Genesis 15 gives us the picture of this wonderful turning point which made all the difference in Abram’s life.  The commentaries speak of this experience as a “theophany”. Dr. Terence E. Freitheim says, “The expression, ‘the word of the Lord came’, so common in the Prophets’ scriptures, occurs only here in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) As a vision, theophanies share similar formal features: the divine self-identification, the reassuring word not to fear, and the promise.“

When God is present, we are given “the reassuring word not to fear”, and we can speak from our hearts our wondering questions. This beautiful conversation is evidence of a close relationship between God and Abram.

Abram is not afraid to ask questions.  

After the tornado, neighbors of several members shared the story of their five-year-old son who asked as he heard the strong wind, “Is that God coming?” And the father wisely answered, “No son, when God comes, we won’t be afraid, because God loves us.”

God gives Abram “the promise”. The turning point given to us in this picture story is that “Abram believed the Lord.” “Believe” originally was understood in a deeper way than just the way we think, it was understood to speak of the way we live. And in this covenant relationship with God , the NRSV translation says, “The Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.”

Through the years, sustaining belief in the Lord and the Lord’s promise probably became difficult for Abram as he was 86 when Ishmael was born and he was 99 when he and Sara had their first son, Isaac. Abram never, though, stopped believing in God and God’s promise to him. Personal Worship Option:

In your own faith journey, what have been the turning points of belief? This story reminds us that God understands our doubts and our questions. We can be honest with God. God is faithful unto us and we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to remain faithful unto God.