15 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.” – Genesis 15:1
Carts and carrots
As you trudge through life pulling your cart of burdens, what is it that you are striving for? What is the proverbial carrot on the stick that motivates you? When you are up to your knees in mud, trying to get your load through the next rut, what gives you the strength to take the next step?
Many people aspire wealth. The more they can accumulate the better. When the harvest is good, more and larger barns are built. How much is enough? The cart is not a burden if it is full of goods. So they tell themselves.
Some people are driven by emotional insecurities. For them there can never be enough affirmation. Their deepest desire is fame or recognition. As they trudge through life pulling their cart they make sure it is detailed and covered with more stickers than a NASCAR race car. As they pull their cart down Main Street they make sure they are often testing it’s horn.
For some, like Abram, proginey is paramount. As a young man, Abram could boast living ancestry as far back as ten generations! Noah, who lived to be 950 years old, was still alive when Abram was born. But while Abram could reminisce with every one of his male ancestors from his father Terah to his (9x) great-grandfather Noah, he had no child to call his own.
After these things
When God spoke to Abram in a vision as recorded in today’s text, Abram’s cart was “parked” in Canaan. After the death of his father Terah, God told Abram to leave his country and his people and move to a land that He would show him.
While it would be difficult to pack up and leave everything he knew, God made a covenant with Abram. While it would be difficult at 75 years of age to make a new beginning, Abram had the assurance of God and His blessings. But when would they come?
At this point in history, Abram is still childless. At this point in history, Abram does not own a foot of ground. To make matters worse, there has been tension between the camp of Abram and his nephew Lot. In humility, Abram allowed Lot first choice of land. Being a man of logic, Lot chose the most fertile land for himself.
Although Abram and Lot parted ways, Abram never stopped loving his nephew. When a war broke out between rival kings, Lot was caught in the middle and carried away captive. Showing no concern for his own safety, Abram gathered his men and rescued Lot.
These were the “things” that preceded Abram’s vision from God.
Fear Not
We all live with fears and uncertainties. At one point or another we will all battle doubt and despair. Although Abram may have been a very brave man, it would only be natural that perhaps he might fear retribution from those he fought with to regain Lot’s freedom.
If Abram did not fear retribution, perhaps the events of Lot’s capture reminded him of life’s uncertainties. Without any warning, life can change so quickly. How easily might Lot have been killed by the warring factions. Certainly, Abram’s life may have been in danger when he set out to rescue his nephew.
Although many of his ancestors were still alive, Abram was not immune from the painful experience associated with death. His brother Haran, Lot’s father, was buried in Ur, the land of his birth. Likewise, his father Terah, was buried Haran.
But perhaps Abram’s greatest fear was infertility. As he and Sarai were aging, it is very possible that his hopes for progeny were perhaps buried in Sarai’s barren womb.
Although Abram’s cart did not yet hold a son, it did carry God’s promises.
Fear not, Abram!
I am
We often speak of the great “I am” statements of the Bible, but I don’t know if I have ever heard this one from Genesis chapter fifteen included among them. When Abram needs encouragement, God Himself provides it.
“I am your shield”.
After saving Lot from his captors, Abram encountered the mysterious figure Melchizedek, king of Salem, and priest of God Most High. Melchizedek not only blessed Abram, but he also reminded him that it was God, “who has delivered your enemies into your hand” (Gen. 14:20b)!
How comforting to know that when trials come our way, the great I Am is our shield. He is our protector. The Bible uses numerous illustrations to encourage us of the refuge we have in God. God is our strong tower (Prov. 18:10), our refuge and tower of strength (Psalm 61:3) and our strong rock (Psalm 62:7).
Further, when disaster comes, we know that we can take refuge in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 57:1). When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we are comforted by the protection of His rod and staff (Psalm 23).
No one is greater than God. When we are in the hands of Christ, no one can snatch us out (John 10:28-29).
The great I AM is our shield, but He is so much more.
Very great reward
In the original language, God tells Abram that He is not only his shield, but God Himself, is Abram’s very great reward. Or as the King James has it, his exceeding great reward.
Abram left his land and his family with only his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and the promises of God. Promises of becoming a great nation, having his name made great, and being blessed and being a blessing. In addition, his descendants would be given the land of Canaan.
As Abram drove his cart of burdens from the land of his family to the promised land, he drove it by faith. Abram would encounter ruts. He would trudge through mud. His way would often be difficult, but he believed his reward would be great.
Abram was not a perfect man, as evidenced by his relationship with Hagar, but he was motivated by a perfect reward. The great I Am.
Let’s come full circle. What is your greatest motivation in life? Do you recognize God for what He is? Do you recognize Him as your very great reward? Don’t strive for the world’s carrots on a stick. They will all rot. Only the great I Am can fulfill your greatest longings and meet your greatest needs. Enjoy the relationship you were created to have.
Consider the attributes of God. He alone is eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, immutable, sovereign, holy, etc. Your exceeding great reward is without equal. The wealth of the world and the praise of man are nothing compared to Him. And nobody can love you the way He does. Not even close. God promised Abram so much, but the most rewarding “thing” He gave him was Himself.
What could be a better reward?
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. – Psalm 73:25