But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?”        Genesis 15:8 NIV

Some have taken this question by Abram to be an expression of doubt. His question is not doubt but curiosity. He is merely asking the Lord for more information. All Abram wants to know is the process by which the Lord’s promise to him will find its fulfilment. His question is not one born of unbelief or doubt, but it is a desire for further information. Like Mary, when told by the angel Gabriel that she was to have a child, replied, ” How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34 NIV). This is not unbelief but wonder and an inquiry concerning the process. So is Abram’s question, and God answers him by saying, in effect, “Come along, Abram, and I will show the whole procedure to you. I will reveal the means by which you, through your descendants, will possess the land.” God doesn’t mind us asking for more information. It is doubt that bothers Him. Remember Zacharias in Luke 1:18, he asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” Zacharias’ doubt led him to be silenced until his son, John the Baptist was born. When we hear from the Lord, do we respond by asking for more information, or do we immediately begin to question the truth of what we have heard?

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, may we not be afraid to ask You for more information.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

As we hear from You, Lord, may we respond by asking for more information, and not to question the truth of what we have heard. AMEN

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

1 Samuel 16:14-23

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