The Smoking Pot and the Carcasses - Devotion on Genesis 15

Scripture: Genesis 15:17

a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.

How do you know you can believe God when He says something? Isn't it possible for God to go back on His word just like people do?

In this story, God has Abram lay out animal carcasses on either side of a pathway and then, God passes through the middle of those carcasses. In ancient times, this would have been a way of sealing a very solemn contract. The one who passed through the carcasses would have been saying, "If I fail to hold up my end of the bargain, may I become like these carcasses, mutilated and torn in two."

But what do we know about God? Can God die? Can God become like those carcasses? No. Even when God the Son died on the cross, death couldn't hold Him. God is Life.

So, God is giving Abram a double assurance. "If I fail to keep My word, I'll die. But since I can't die, I can't fail to keep My word."

In the same way, we can trust that God will keep His word to us because God can't deny who He is. He can't break His own character. If God is Truth, God must be true. If God is Love, God must act out of love. If God is righteous, He must act righteously.

We can trust God because we know who He is and what His character is like.

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Belief as Righteousness - Devotion on Genesis 15

Scripture: Genesis 15:6

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

How do you know if you believe something or not? If you believe something, you act on it. It shapes how you live. If I believe that 3 + 2 = 5, when I add those numbers together, I'm going to give the same answer every time. It's been ingrained in me, and it shapes how I live.

If I say I believe 3 + 2 = 5 but then sometimes give the answer as 4 or 6, I don't believe it to the point of it shaping my life.

In Abram's case, he believed God, and God credited Abram's belief as righteousness. What does this mean? How did Abram's belief translate to righteousness?

Abram believed God to the point that he acted on what God said. It affected his life. He didn't name his servant as his heir but trusted that God would give him a son.

If we believe God, if we take what He said and apply it to our lives in such a way that what we say we believe affects the way we live, then God will credit our belief as righteousness as well, because we will be living righteously based on our beliefs.

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“What Can You Give Me?” - Devotion on Genesis 15

Scripture: Genesis 15:2-4

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.”

Poor Eliezer. He missed out on a great inheritance opportunity. But notice how Abram questions God. He’s laying out a logical argument, saying in effect:

1. “God, You said you were going to give this to land my descendants.”

2. “I don’t have any descendants.”

3. “What are You going to do about it?”

We might think at first that Abram is being impertinent or disrespectful to speak to God to this way, but God doesn’t seem to mind. He simply reassures Abram that he will have a son.

Have you ever found yourself questioning whether God is going to fulfill His promises to you? Don’t hesitate to remind Him of what He said He would do. Speaking to God in this way isn’t doubt but faith. You’re falling back on His promises, asking Him to act on your behalf.

We’re allowed to remind God of who He is and what He’s said He would do. It’s a declaration of how much we’re depending on Him.

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Do Not be Afraid - Devotion on Genesis 15

Scripture: Genesis 15:1

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

What causes us fear? The threat of danger, certainly. And failure. We fear for our safety, and we fear that our efforts, what we've been working toward, will ultimately end up being wasted.

God tells Abram not to be afraid. Why should Abram not to be afraid? Because God is his "shield" and his "very great reward." God is his protection and all he needs for his effort.

In the same way, God is our shield, protecting us in every way He sees fit, and the only thing we ever need. With God protecting us and blessing us with the reward of Himself both now and forever, what danger can threaten us? What failure will mean anything in the light of our spending eternity with God?

Do not be afraid, for God is your shield and your very great reward.

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Tuesday, February 25, 2020 | Sh’vat 30, 5780

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”

 – Revelation 22:14

Jesus, I wash my heart, my mind, my spirit in Your blood. You have made me pure and holy for You.

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Monday, February 24, 2020 | Sh’vat 29, 5780

“And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”

 – Revelation 22:19

Holy Spirit, give me a reverent respect for Your Word. Help me not to ignore any part of it or add any of my own ideas onto what You have said. You are the authority and You’ve given me Your Word to guide me to You.

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Sunday, February 23, 2020 | Sh’vat 28, 5780

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”

 – Revelation 22:2

Father, just as You took away the Tree of Life so that we might seek Your salvation in Christ, so will You return to every blessing that we lost. Give me hope as I wait for You to renew all things.

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Saturday, February 22, 2020 | Sh’vat 27, 5780

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

 – Revelation 2:7

Jesus, my only victory is in You. Help me to rely on Your Spirit to sustain me so that I will never turn from You.

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Friday, February 21, 2020 | Sh’vat 26, 5780

“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”

 – Matthew 21:8

Lord Jesus, just as the people laid branches and their cloaks before You, help me to lay everything I have at Your feet. I give You my time, my family, my work, my interests, my life.

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Thursday, February 20, 2020 | Sh’vat 25, 5780

“So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way.”

 – Luke 19:4

Savior, just as Zacchaeus did what he could to see You, help me to do everything I can to meet with You. Make our time together my priority. Give me a longing to be with You.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2020 | Sh’vat 24, 5780

“Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

 – Matthew 13:32

Lord, You said that Your Kingdom would grow. Show me how I can reach out to others with the Good News of Your salvation.

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Tuesday, February 18, 2020 | Sh’vat 23, 5780

“The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

 – Matthew 3:10

Father, make me a tree planted and growing in You. Grow Your Spirit within me so that I can yield the fruit You desire.

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Monday, February 17, 2020 | Sh’vat 22, 5780

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.”

 – Luke 6:43

Teacher, confront me with the truth and show me who I am. Strengthen my resolve to better serve You as I yield to the changes You want to make in me.

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Sunday, February 16, 2020 | Sh’vat 21, 5780

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

 – Proverbs 15:4

Holy Spirit, guide my words so that I can be a blessing to others when I speak. Inspire me with words to say to the hurting and the upset. Let my speech always honor You.

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Saturday, February 15, 2020 | Sh’vat 20, 5780

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

 – Proverbs 13:12

Lord, give me a longing for You and to do Your will. Help me to be patient as I know that You will not disappoint me.

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Friday, February 14, 2020 | Sh’vat 19, 5780

“Blessed are those who find wisdom. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.”

 – Proverbs 3:13, 18

Jesus, give me wisdom. Inspire me to seek new lessons from You every day. Open my eyes to what You want to teach me. Remind me to consider Your teachings in every decision that I make.

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Thursday, February 13, 2020 | Sh’vat 18, 5780

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”

 – Psalm 52:8

My God, it is only by Your love that I move and breathe and have my being. Not only have You created me, but You’ve saved me and give me everything that I need to flourish in You.

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Wednesday, February 12, 2020 | Sh’vat 17, 5780

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”

 – Psalm 1:1-3

Lord, I want You to nourish me and grow me up into the person You created me to be. Keep me away from the company and the habits of who would drain my life away.

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Tuesday, February 11, 2020 | Sh’vat 16, 5780

“Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth.”

 – 1 Chronicles 16:33

How glorious You are that even the trees praise You in their own way! Give me a respect for Your creation as I unite with all that You have made to give You honor.

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Monday, February 10, 2020 | Sh’vat 15, 5780 (Tu BiShvat / Rosh Hashanah La'Ilanot / New Year of the Trees)

“On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers.”

 – 1 Kings 6:29

Holy God, just as Solomon recognized the splendor of Your creation, help me to appreciate the beauty of what You have made. Don’t let me take Your work for granted but fill me with awe every time I walk outside and see the wonder of nature.

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