God speaks to us, giving insight into His desire to have a relationship with us. Jesus tells us in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”[1] The Lord speaks to us through His Word, dreams, visions, the work of the Holy Spirit, an audible voice, and any other method He chooses.
After Abram rescued his nephew Lot from local hostile kings, he may have questioned his safety and God’s plans for him. It is often during times of reflection that we come to an intersection, unsure of where to go, but God knows. God understands our situation and needs; this was the perfect moment to speak to Abram. Genesis 15:1Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” [2]
God Speaks to Us to Bring Reassurance
As the Lord spoke to Abram, he was grappling with fear, for He first said to him, “Do not be afraid.” When we feel afraid, it is difficult to think clearly, and we tend to exaggerate our fears. When I am frightened, God’s word feels like curling up in the Lord’s lap as He reassures me of His love.
Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.[3] When we try to bear our burdens, they weigh us down and blind us to what God is doing in our lives. Are you carrying a heavy burden today? Is life overwhelming you? Just as the Lord spoke to Abram, He is waiting to talk to you and give you reassurance!
Remembering God’s Promises
In addition to telling Abram not to be afraid, the Lord assured him that He would protect him and that his reward would be great. We can only imagine how God’s words impacted Abram as he faced his struggles. Earlier, in Genesis chapter 12, Abram was informed that he would become a great nation. God also stated that those who blessed him would themselves be blessed and that he would become well-known. Furthermore, all families of the earth would be blessed through him.
It was God who protected Abram and granted him a great reward, not anyone else. Just as God made promises to Abram, He also makes promises to us that we must remember. John 3:16For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.[4] Often as we struggle, God will break into our lives. Remembering God’s promises helps us look beyond today and the world’s struggles to the wondrous future that the Lord has planned for His children.
To learn how God speaks to us, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-in-the-darkness
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
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