“After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “O 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 coming from your own body will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars — if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Gen 15:1-6 (NIV)
I have not ceased to meditate on this particular phrase “the Word of the Lord came to Abram..” since the past few days when I read the passage. It is interesting to know that God is really so mindful of us and cares about us as we can see in the relationship with Abram.
When the Word of the Lord comes, it is God Himself that comes. (John 1:1-5 clearly emphasizes this). The Lord seeks to relate with us and uses every means possible to get us on course in this relationship; like He did with Adam and Eve: God always came around to fellowship with them.
Today, God still desires our fellowship: He calls us to a life of intimacy with Him and it is in the place of intimacy that He reveals Himself and His purpose; that is where visions are conceived and life is imparted. I haven’t seen anywhere in the Bible where God reveals Himself or visits people with matters of eternal significance in an atmosphere of lawlessness or iniquity; but the fact remains that God visits His people.
The Word of God is God Himself as revealed in John1:1-5; so when His word comes, He has, Himself come on a visit which is never a casual one, so we must be careful not to trivialize His Word when it comes via any channel. His coming is usually with a purpose, and Abram was quick to make the most of this visit as the word came; the visit changed the trajectory of His life. May we never again trivialize any visit of the Lord unto us.
Abram had a burden and a need that only the Lord alone could meet, bringing the right assurance and fulfilment. He had mapped a way out for Himself earlier, thinking his servant would be his heir, but the word of the Lord overruled that. There are times we also, have concluded certain things which are not in consonance with Gods plan about ourselves given the circumstances that prevail. May the word of God come to you and overrule whatever is less than or contrary to the purpose and plan of God for your life. Amen
Abram believed the report of the Lord as against what he had thought about himself or what people had declared about him. There is a word of God for every situation of our lives and we will do well to maximize the opportunities that the Lord brings as He sends His word unto us. There is a word that will bring joy; healing; deliverance; promotion; help; favour and life, and it is my prayer that you (& I) will not miss the word when it comes.
When the word comes, life comes, illumination comes, progress comes, increase comes, direction comes, and promotion comes! I pray we will have more hunger and desire for fellowship with God such that His word can find us at the right place. I pray that this year, we will search the scriptures more, digging deeper into the treasures that lie therein. I pray that rather than give time and attention to things that will not move us forward in divine purposes, our desire shall be for more of God. I pray that this year and beyond, the WORD OF THE LORD will come to you (and to me) in greater dimensions and bring the needed solutions in every aspect of life. Amen!
From the desk of FunmiadebayoJournals, I welcome you to 2023: A year of journeying together with the Lord in His Word.
©Funmi Adebayo