Faith in the Midst of Fear (Genesis 15: 1-8)

Our culture is increasingly shaped by fear. Whether from personal experiences,

national politics, or global events, the world teaches us to be afraid. Fear is an

emotion that is common to us all. How do we engage our fears as Christians?

Abraham’s experience with fear and doubt in Genesis 15 teaches us that the

Christian life is a life of laying hold of God’s promises in the midst of fear and

doubt.

In Genesis 14, Abraham’s nephew, Lot, is taken captive from Sodom by a coalition

of four kings. Abram battles the four kings, rescues Lot, and recovers a large

quantity of plunder. It was customary for the victor to take the spoils of war.

However, Abram refuses the king of Sodom’s offer of the plunder as a reward.

After Abraham’s great victory, he is afraid of the revenge of the defeated kings. He

remains childless and doubts God’s promise that he would be the father of many

nations.

In Genesis 15, in reference to Abraham’s fear of the defeated kings, God says, “ I

am your shield.” In response to Abraham’s rejection of the spoil of war, God

promises: “your reward shall be very great.” With respect to Abraham’s doubt

about becoming a father, God reveals to him: “your very own son shall be your

heir.” Genesis 15:6 says: “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as

righteousness.” In the midst of fear and doubt, Abram believes God’s promises

and his faith is accounted to him as righteousness. We will explore how Jesus

Christ is the offspring of Abraham who came in the fullness of time to fulfill the

promises God made to Abraham.