7

God called Abram into the walk of faith. That was an invitation to enter into a very significant and challenging relationship with the Lord. The walk of faith is experienced as an ever a closer walk with the Lord.

These chapters reveal the dynamic of the life of faith. At no time did Abram have to act in isolation as though he had been left to his own resources. Not once does his expression of faith go unanswered.

The Lord is present. Active. Responding. Affirming. Encouraging. Personally involved.

The Lord is always there. Revealing Himself. Demonstrating His commendation of faith. Declaring His affirmation of the man of faith.

All that the Lord did with Abram He does with us. He has never changed. His response to the walk of faith has never varied. He glories to grasp the opportunities which are given to Him by faith. Opportunities to reveal Himself to the one who walks by faith, to reveal Himself in the life of faith.

Too few people today know anything of this amazing and glorious experience which Abram had, or of the life and walk of faith.

There is one simple reason for that fact. Too few people are ready to respond to the Lord's call, to His challenge to enter into the walk of faith. Far too few have genuinely begun the life of faith.

There are those who want to modify the Word of God. "Modernize" it's requirements. Make it more "palatable" to the modern man's taste!

To act as though we can improve on God's Word is not faith. It never was. It never will be. No matter how ''Christians" try to dress up such foolish attempts. It is nothing but unbelief!

Faith joyfully takes God at His Word. That is exactly what Abram did. How greatly he was blessed as the result of that faith!

"After these things!" These words clearly point to the events of the previous chapter. This issue here is very simple. It has to do with: consequences. Specifically: the consequences of Abram's acts of faith. The consequences of the spiritual priorities on which Abram acted.

This is a very important issue. It is an issue which often perplexes people, including so many Christians. They ask, If I do this, what if . . . ? What about . . . ? Their concern is obvious. What about the consequences of the decisions we have to make? Those things which may happen as the result of our actions. Even when we act in faith.

There are always consequences. Every decision, every action, every word- everything has consequences. Every attitude.

Consequences can be both big and small. Some are quite positive. Some can be so very negative. Some appear to be a mixture of positive and negative.

Because they realize that there are consequences some people will not act. They are afraid of unknown possibilities. They convince themselves that the consequences will be negative. They refuse to risk having to face negative consequences.

Yet it is equally inevitable that there are consequences when we do not act. And, in fact, they may be worse than if we did act

It is this fear of "what may happen?" - which can, and will, seriously undermine faith if we do not deal with this issue in the way which honors the Lord. This is true of the experience of so many Christians.

The principles which are revealed in this verse will not only greatly help us, they will also inspire us. They should inspire every Christian.

It is God Himself who applies these principles. He always applies them to everyone who walks by faith, who lives by faith. Always!

Here we look at the significant "afterwards!" The consequences of the expression of the faith of Abram. Of the priorities of his faith. Those priorities which are revealed in the preceding incident.

In every aspect of that incident one central fact has clearly emerged. For Abram, there was only: one Reality!

That Reality was the Person of the Lord! Abram had acted on that truth in every aspect of every circumstance.

When Abram went into battle the Lord was the Reality for him. That was equally true when he won the victory. It was still true as he returned with the captives, and the spoils of war.

The Lord was: The Reality. That was quite clear as Abram met Melchizedek. As he received the nourishment which he graciously provided. As he was given the blessing.

Nothing could be clearer in his dealings with the king of Sodom. The Lord was the reality there, not the world which was represented by that king. Nor yet the compromise offered by the king.

Now what? What if his words had angered the king Sodom? What if that king felt offended and decided to retaliate? What if he used the rejection as justification? What if . . . ? All this focuses on the issue of possible consequences.

Faith simply answers: The consequences are not my responsibility! Faith has only one responsibility. That is: The Word of God! To hear and obey the Word of God. To obey the Word of God according to the priorities of faith. Certainly never to act according to fear the consequences for such obedience.

What if . . . ? That is God's responsibility! The consequences of faith are always God's responsibility. God always fully accepts His responsibility.

Abram had his eyes on the Lord. The Lord was: Reality! True Reality! That was all that mattered to faith

. The Lord came to Abram. Of course the Lord was fully aware of all that had taken place. He had taken every detail fully into account. Nothing was overlooked by God

The Lord fully recognized the deep heart desire of His servant to honor Him in all things, and to Glorify Him in his words, in his actions, in his attitudes, and in his priorities. To identify himself as one totally given up to the Lord.

The Lord knew it all. The Lord honored His servant. The Lord came to Abram.

Reality! The true Reality! The eternal unchanging Reality. Abram was proved to be right. So very right in this vital emphasis.

Faith today glories in that exciting truth. Faith is inspired to respond. And that faith is honored. The Lord still knows. He still honors. He still comes!

The Lord has given an absolute assurance to faith. A place to stand which will never fail.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11: 6).

Abram believed. His faith was dynamically expressed. "HE IS!" The Lord - IS - Reality! The reality! The man of faith has found his place to stand.

There, faith proclaims, The Lord is "Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him!" The Lord has always satisfied that expectation of faith. He always will. He always assures us that that is the place for faith to stand.

Faith has publicly taken its stand. Its uncompromising stand. "I have lift up my hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the Possessor of heaven and earth!"(14: 22).

Man heard. Hearing, he may have wondered. May have questioned what Abram meant. May have even ridiculed the witness of faith. The response of man is of such little significance. It was then. It is still the same today.

His Word of love was spoken to His servant. His Word of grace confirmed His total acceptance. His Word proclaimed His approval of the commitment of faith, commending the stand which faith had taken.

"HE IS!" He responds! He speaks! Faith rejoices in that it unfailing reality.

“The Word of the LORD came to Abram!" In that Word of the Lord there was: peace! “The peace of God that passeth understanding.”(Philippians 4: 7). There was joy: “Joy unspeakable and full of glory.”(1 Peter 1: 8). There was love. Love to the uttermost

“The Word of the Lord.'' His Word strengthens confidence. Deepens the personal relationship. Greatly encourages hope. Inspires the response of praise and worship. Ushers the believing heart into the deepest adoration.

It is faith that has the privilege of knowing that experience. Only faith has that privilege. Only faith knows that peace. That love. That confidence, hope, and inspiration. Only faith!

Faith has it. Has it all. Has it repeatedly. It is the response of the Lord. He most certainly is: "Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him!"

The Lord chooses His method of coming to His servant. In making His choice He so obviously varies the way in which He responds.

“The LORD had said unto Abram" (Genesis 12: 1). He spoke His Word to His servant.

“The LORD appeared unto Abram" (Genesis 12: 7). We are not told how He appeared. Only that He appeared to Abram. In some way. In some form. Abram certainly knew that it was the Lord who appeared unto him.

"The LORD plagued Pharaoh" (Genesis 12: 17). This was an indirect approach. Yet it was still an approach to Abram. The Lord sought to get his attention when fear had replaced faith. He came in correction. In reproof. It was the Lord's choice. It certainly worked.

"And the LORD said unto Abram" (Genesis 13 : 14). He spoke His Word after Lot had gone his separate way.

"And Melchizedek, king of Salem brought forth bread and wine" (Genesis 14: 18). It was quite clear to Abram that the Lord was present. That His presence was in the person of Melchizedek.

"The Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision.” This is the first time that the word, vision, is used.

The Lord chose the method of His approach to His servant. He always came. He always responded. But, the method of His coming varied considerably. It varied according to His choice.

Faith has no difficulty accepting that fact. At no time did Abram make a mistake. On each occasion he knew that it was the Lord. Faith knows! No matter which method the Lord may choose.

When the Lord comes to faith it is always in love. In grace. To Inspire. To encourage. True faith immediately recognizes that it is the Lord. Faith has no problem identifying HIS approach.

There are those who make a mistake at this point. They want to insist on the Lord following a set an unvarying pattern. They are quick to argue, He did it this way once. So, He will always do it this way.

Faith does not make that mistake. Faith has learned to let God decide. Faith is content to know that He will come. He does come. What more do we need? What more could we desire?

“The Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram."

There are some who would suggest that this is unnecessary. That the human factor does not need to be considered, in fact, is not to be considered, because the truly spiritual person has gone beyond that point. The person who lives by faith has left all that far behind.

That may sound so very "spiritual"! Yet that attitude ignores some vital aspects of the witness of the Scriptures.

Yes. God had called His servant to the walk of faith. Yes. The walk of faith is a walk in close fellowship with the Lord. Yes. The Lord continually gives the assurance of His presence, and of His Word. His Encouragement. His inspiration. Yes. All that is true.

It is too easy to brush that "but" aside. Dismissing it as nothing but an excuse. Except for one vital factor. That "but" introduces us to a fact which we need to seriously consider.

It is not the man who is using the "but" as an excuse. It is not the man who is looking so intently at "the human factor". It is not the man at all. It is the Lord!

It was the Word of the Lord to Abram. "Fear not!" It was the Lord who saw His servant as needing His personal consideration. His Word. His assurance!

It was to Joshua that the Lord said, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest!" (Joshua 1: 9).

It was to Gideon that the Lord said, "Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand. But if thou fear to go down . . .” (Judges 7: 9, 10).

To Abram. To Joshua. To Gideon. To so many others. It was the Lord Himself who raises this question. Not the men concerned. They are not trying to find excuses. There is no way that it could be called an excuse.

The Lord Himself was taking into account the human factor. He knew Abram. Joshua. Gideon. He knew them perfectly. Just as He knows us perfectly. He knows us far better than we know ourselves.

The Lord expects us to be human. Not "super-human". He fully understands that, at times, fear can a factor of our humanity. That there will be times when it will threaten to intrude. Invade.

He is reminding Abram, and us, “I fully understand! Together we can face the threat of fear. Deal with it. Win the victory over it.”

We will not deal with the problem of fear any other way. Certainly not by pretending that fear does not exist. Nor by claiming that we cannot fear, or, we will not fear. Rather we must deal with fear in God's way. With His help.

The Lord fully understood where Abram was coming from. Abram had just made an open stand. It was a defiant stand against the attitudes of the world. Resolutely refusing to be caught in compromise with the king of Sodom. The human factor immediately came into play. The questions will come. What if the King of Sodom is deeply offended. What if he retaliates What if . . . ?

Abram had no way of predicting the response of the king. Unpredictable factors inevitable stir uncertainly. Inspiring questions. Raising doubts. That was all part of Abram's humanity. God knew it.

God did not condemn Abram for his humanity. He took it all into account. He dealt with the man of faith accordingly.

He always does! That is the glory of His grace. He does know us perfectly. He graciously seeks to lead us through our uncertainties. To guide us out of the maze of doubts. To reveal to us the way to claim the victory over fear.

It is so essential to remember one spiritual principle. Particularly in regard to this issue.

Abram may have had very good reason to fear retaliation. Or, no reason at all. He probably could not know either way. But God did know.

Experience teaches a vital lesson. Wisdom expects retaliation from the world. It is in the nature of the world to hit back.

In the spiritual conflict the issue of either/or does not apply. To take a strong stand for the Lord guarantees retaliation. The enemy of souls will see to that. The devil gets angry when he is attacked. When his domain is invaded. When his ways are denounced. He hits back. Count on it. Expect it.

A healthy respect for this spiritual principle will always pay dividends. It is when we ignore it that we may have to pay a high price. It is so foolish to act as though retaliation will not come. Foolish, and dangerous.

"Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness" (Isaiah 41: 10).

The question, “What if . . . ?” will be asked. The answer of faith is: The Lord! His assurance. His presence. His resources.

Abram faced the “What if . . . ?” as far as the king of Sodom was concerned. In response the Lord gave His Word of assurance. Inspiring His servant to continually depend on His resources. Those resources never fail.

The retaliation of the forces of evil must be expected. We can face that threat with calm assurance. We have the promise of the Lord. "I am with you!" "I am your God!" “I will strengthen you!" "I will uphold you!"

"And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be a ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed!" (Joel 2: 26, 27).

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8: 31).

The Lord is: the Reality! He is: the “Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

“After these things the Word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

“I am!" This is the most important truth, which is here so dramatically conveyed to the man of faith.

In faith Abram had affirmed: "HE IS!" The Lord is: The Reality! The only true: Reality! The ultimate: Reality! In that affirmation faith honors and glorifies: the Lord.

Now faith stands immovable on that conviction. The Lord IS. He is the only circumstance that matters. He is all that faith has to take into account!

The Lord responds, personally, re-affirming the stand which the man of faith has taken. Honoring that conviction. Recognizing the commitment.

Faith is assured that "I AM" responds. “I AM” is personally present, personally active, and personally involved.

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you!" (Exodus 3: 14).

“I AM!” is the One whom comes. He assures: "I have surely seen . . . and have heard . . . for I know. . . and I am come down” (Exodus 3: 7, 8).

The Lord responds to faith in total involvement. Personally intervening. Repeatedly it is "I!" The great “I!” of the Eternal Lord!

God is not an absentee deity. He has not set the processes in motion to leave them untended. He is always personally involved. Faith ever hears His personal “I!” Rejoices in the joy which that brings. The inspiration. The encouragement. The enabling.

“For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”(Hebrews 13 : 5).

"Fear not Abram!" Even if the king of Sodom was upset, angered by the words of Abram. Even if he planned some form of retaliation., Abram had been provided with guaranteed protection, the protection which was far more than adequate. No matter how severe the attack, Abram's security was assured.

These words of the Lord are so precious. He not only assures Abram that He will provide a shield. This is so much more than that! "I am thy shield!" The Lord Himself! He is the shield!

These words must have had an awesome impact on, as well as being a glorious inspiration to, the man of faith. The king of Sodom fades into total insignificance. All the kings of the earth may join in an alliance. They will be as nothing. Less than nothing!

The shield is: The Lord! The infinite One! The almighty God! The absolute eternal Sovereign. Before Him all the forces of earth and hell are less than nothing.

"So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13: 6).

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8: 31).

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8: 37).

“I am thy shield!" Nothing can touch Abram, except that it must pass through that Shield to get to him. Which is: Except the Lord permits it to pass through Him to get to His servant!

The Lord is our shield! He inspires us to abide in Him. While we are content to abide in Him nothing can get to us. It must pass through Him before it can touch us. He permits nothing to pass through but that which will be for our benefit!

He tempers everything He permits to pass through Him to us. He modifies it. He makes it fit our need, our condition. It is that fact that makes Him the perfect Shield!

Nothing catches Him unaware. Or unprepared. Nothing will ever prove to be too much for Him. All power is His. All authority.

These are eternal facts. They will never change. On that basis Paul gives the assurance: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8: 28).

"I am thy shield!" What a glorious assurance! Given so freely in grace to the man of faith. Given to the faith which affirms: The Lord is Reality. The true Reality. He is all that matters.

The king of Sodom had offered Abram a reward. Abram had risked his life, and the lives of his men, as he had gone after the rampaging kings. He had engaged them in battle, even as he had won the decisive victory.

The king of Sodom had suggested, "Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself." "The goods” - were offered as a: "reward"(14: 21).

Abram would have no part of that. He flatly refused to accept the reward offered by the king of Sodom. His faith was focused on the Lord. His commitment was to the Lord.

"I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich!"(14: 23).

The man of faith saw two possible rewards. One offered by man, the king of Sodom. Representing all the vaunted wealth of the world.

So many people see only one. They are only interested in that one. They are fully attracted to the reward offered by the world. The reward represented by the king of Sodom!

Abram was motivated by dynamic faith. He knew that he could receive that reward offered by the king of Sodom. He also knew that to do so would be to miss out on the reward offered by the Lord. To accept the "reward'' of the world is to ensure that the Lord remains silent!

Think of the implications of that fact. Abram would never have heard the Lord say, "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward!"

All that was at stake was so vital! Faith realized that. Faith responded accordingly. Faith refused to have anything to do with the world. Or its "rewards''. Not even to "a thread", or "a shoe latchet!" Nothing!

The issue is still that vital today! Still as urgent and pressing. The world does offer to us a variety of "rewards". It attempts to buy our compromise. To entice us to lower our standards.

True faith still immediately identifies the danger. Denounces the approach. Declares its unequivocal position. States so clearly: “No!” “No!” to every such approach.

He did not say to Abram, “I will provide you with something as a reward.” Some wealth, some position, some power, or influence. No! This is infinitely more wonderful than that: Incredibly more glorious.

"I AM!" "I AM thy exceeding great reward!" The very Person of the Lord Himself! All that HE is! All that HE represents! He is the reward fully given in grace to the man of faith.

"Exceeding great reward!" Far exceeding everything that our minds could ever imagine. So infinitely great that words utterly fail to reveal the greatness, or to explain the extent of the dimensions of that greatness. Our finite minds are made numb by the infinite truth revealed. Our thought processes are left far behind.

Yet faith begins to grasp the truth. As it responds to the truth. As it begins to soar to the heights. It begins, knowing that it will never comprehend fully. Faith does not have to comprehend. 0r, explain. Or, define.

Faith is content to receive. Receive in the spirit of deep adoration. Faith receives in spontaneous spiritual worship. Faith becomes fully absorbed in the glory. Wanting to glorify Him! Faith humbly accepts! In praise. In thanksgiving.

"I have lift up my hand unto the Lord, the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth!"(14: 22).

The Lord responded to such faith, to that devoted commitment. The Lord responded. He always does, so fully. He gives Himself so gloriously!

Faith honors Him. He honors faith. He honors that faith by blessing with all the riches of glory.