“Do not be afraid, Abram.”            Genesis 15:1 NIV

The heart of Genesis 15 does not lie in its great phrases, however, but in its connection with the preceding events of Abram’s life. God appears to Abram in a vision, but when he comes, his first words are, “Fear not!” This reveals what is going on in Abram’s heart. He was having a sleepless night, and the trouble was that he was afraid. Coming, as this incident does, after Abram’s return from his battle with the four eastern kings and his encounter with the king of Sodom, we can see why he is so fearful. He is afraid of this man, Chedorlaomer, the great king whom he had conquered. Abram had publicly humiliated him by overthrowing his vast army with but a handful of men. Dictators do not take this kind of treatment lightly! We can easily understand the justified fear that Abram felt as he faced the possibility of Chedorlaomer’s return. Perhaps also there was fear because he had turned down the king of Sodom’s offer of a fortune. He did it, of course, in the strength of the fellowship he had enjoyed with Melchizedek. With his heart aflame with the love and grace of God, Abram had said to this king, “I want nothing of all that you have. I don’t want you saying that you made Abram rich.” Doubt begins to rise in his heart as to whether he did the right thing or not. Doubt is a form of fear! If all this sounds familiar to you, take comfort from the fact that it is a very natural reaction and all the great saints of God suffer from it.

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, thank You for knowing that we are not alone when afraid.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank You Lord, that we are not alone when we have been afraid and filled with doubt, many saints have experienced this, and have been encouraged through Your Word. AMEN

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Romans 10:1-13

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