1. Abram: Anxious For God’s
Promise
Belief that makes one
Righteous
Genesis 15:1-6
2. What Are We Anxious About?
• Finances?
• Food?
• Clothing?
• Having friends?
• Security for the future?
• War?
• Political Issues?
• The Environment?
• Our Children?
What was Abram Anxious About and how
is he our example?
3. Genesis 15:1–6 (NET)
1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram
in a vision: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield and the
one who will reward you in great abundance.” 2 But
Abram said, “O sovereign LORD, what will you give me
since I continue to be childless, and my heir is Eliezer of
Damascus?” 3 Abram added, “Since you have not given
me a descendant, then look, one born in my house will
be my heir!” 4 But look, the word of the LORD came to
him: “This man will not be your heir, but instead a son
who comes from your own body will be your heir.” 5
The LORD took him outside and said, “Gaze into the sky
and count the stars – if you are able to count them!”
Then he said to him, “So will your descendants be.” 6
Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD considered his
response of faith as proof of genuine loyalty.
4. What is Abram’s Concern?
Genesis 15:1 (NET)
1 After these things the
word of the LORD came to
Abram in a vision: “Fear
not, Abram! I am your
shield and the one who
will reward you in great
abundance.”
• Even victories can be
followed by anxiety.
• Is Abram afraid of
possible enemy reprisals?
• Is Abram worried about
provisions for he and his
household?
• The natural man is
concerned for physical
well being and security.
What makes you anxious?
5. The Man of faith concerns Himself
with God’s promise
2 But Abram said, “O
sovereign LORD, what will
you give me since I
continue to be childless,
and my heir is Eliezer of
Damascus?” 3 Abram
added, “Since you have
not given me a
descendant, then look,
one born in my house will
be my heir!”
• Abram’s anxiety is not
physical protection or
security.
• Abram is more concerned
about the details of God’s
promise.
• A servant is in line to
inherit the promise.
• Word play here in
Hebrew, “The son of my
possessions (ben meseq)
is Eliezer of Damasus
(dmeseq).”
Genesis 13:14–16 14 After Lot had
departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Look
from the place where you stand to the
north, south, east, and west. 15 I will give
all the land that you see to you and your
descendants forever. 16 And I will make
your descendants like the dust of the
earth, so that if anyone is able to count
the dust of the earth, then your
descendants also can be counted.
Am I anxious about physical health and security,
or God’s promises?
ADONAI YAWEH
6. God’s promise is better
than our expectations.
4 But look, the word of the
LORD came to him: “This
man will not be your heir,
but instead a son who
comes from your own
body will be your heir.”
• Abram’s faith doesn’t
question the promise, just
the specifics.
• It’s not going to be your
nephew Lot or your
servant Eliezer.
• It will be a son from your
own body.
• God’s promise included
this all along but Abram
needed clarification.
Trust God, His plans are better than your
expectations.
7. God’s plans infinitely surpass
our expectations.
5 The LORD took him
outside and said, “Gaze
into the sky and count
the stars – if you are
able to count them!”
Then he said to him,
“So will your
descendants be.”
• You’re concerned about
one child, but I’m giving
you more descendants
than you can count.
God’s Plans for you Infinitely Surpass your
Expectations
8. Faith is honored with the gift of
righteousness.
6 Abram believed the LORD, and
the LORD considered his
response of faith as proof of
genuine loyalty.
(NASB95)6 Then he believed in
the LORD; and He reckoned
it to him as righteousness.
• Believing means:
– Trusting that what God says is
true even when it seems
impossible.
– Trusting that He will do what
he said.
• Abram did not receive
because he was righteous.
God counted him as
righteous because he
believed God.
• Abram’s faith began when
he left Ur. It is stated here
because it is foundational
for the Covenant.
Righteous Abram was counted as righteous
because he believed God. Do you believe God?
9. Believe God and Be Righteous
Romans 4:2–3
2 For if Abraham was declared righteous by the
works of the law, he has something to boast
about – but not before God. 3 For what does
the scripture say? “Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
10. Believe God and Be Righteous
Galatians 3:6–9 (NET)
6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was
credited to him as righteousness, 7 so then,
understand that those who believe are the sons
of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that
God would justify the Gentiles by faith,
proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time,
saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9
So then those who believe are blessed along with
Abraham the believer.
11. Faith Pursues God’s Kingdom
Matthew 6:31–33 (NET)
31 So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we
eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we
wear?’ 32 For the unconverted pursue these
things, and your heavenly Father knows that
you need them. 33 But above all pursue his
kingdom and righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well.
12. Believe God,
Trust His plan,
Wear the righteousness of Christ,
And be not anxious of things of the
world.
Notes de l'éditeur
Abram has just defeated four powerful nations. These may want to get back at him. God is his shield.
Abram just turned down receiving provisions from the battle and gave a tithe to Melchizedek. God is his provider.
God previously had him look all around him (north, south, east, west) and promised all the land he could see. Now he has him look at the sky in every direction and promises him that his descendents will be more than all he can count and see.
In the Hebrew believe is the word Amen
Abram believed God when he left Ur. I’ve included the NASB95 because I prefer “righteousness” over genuine loyalty, though it is an adequate translation. I don’t like the NASB95 use of “then” for the vav consequtive. It would be better translated “so” or “and”. “Then” gives the impression that the accounting of righteousness occurred at this moment. Verse 6 is stated here because it precedes what is about to happen with the Covenant. Abraham is righteous even before the actions of the Covenant.