Look through, to the Lord's faithfulness

Genesis 15:1-9

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” 

2 But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” 

4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 

6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 

7 Then He said to him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.” 

8 And he said, “Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?” 

9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”

Abraham’s trial was waiting 25 years for his first child, which God had promised. God’s word was true. Abraham trusted Him. He also gave Abraham a way to trust Him, with a sacrifice to confirm His promise. We have the same promise as Abraham, now fulfilled in Christ’s sacrifice at the cross. God has given us a way to trust His work at the cross, here at the table. Every week here we speak His words and pray, renewing our covenant with the Lord, recalling His promises and our duties. We do not look at this table, but through it to Christ. David did not look at the ark, but through it to Yahweh. Abraham did not look at sacrifices, but through them to the Lord. Taste, and see that the Lord is good. Whatever your trials, recall here the truth that conquers them all: Jesus died for you.

5/22/2011