Genesis 15:1 – “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.”  NASB

I thought about calling this The Bible’s Three Step Program but decided to leave it as the “Awesomeness of God” because He is, and the elements listed here reveal that awesomeness powerfully. 

Let’s take this one step at a time or one element at a time and see if we find comfort and encouragement in this passage.  Since I believe the Bible in Galatians that the Blessings of Abraham belong to the believer, I can take this passage and make it personal and mine.  If you are in step with me, I believe it will be powerful for you.

THE DIRECTIVE – – “Do not Fear.”

God came to Abram in a vision and the first thing that He said was, “Do not Fear!”  I have discovered in my walk with God that anytime He says, I am about to encounter something that could, should, and would make me very afraid.  The potential for disaster and danger is always present.  It may be an encounter with the forces of darkness or with man but there is something that would lend to being fearful. 

God’s directive was “Don’t Do It, don’t be afraid!”

THE PROVISION – – “I am a Shield to You.”

That doubles my concern about what is about to transpire, because if I need a shield to protect me from that which I am not to face and that shield is God Himself, it must be incredibly daunting.  But it is also incredibly comforting for God to say, “I (Jehovah God) am a Shield to You!” 

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:31 that if God is for us, who can be against us?  I like to rephrase it and say, “If God is for me, what difference does it make who is against me.”  God is a majority no matter how many are in the hordes that seek my destruction or hurt.  Someone said, “God and me, make a majority.”  I say, “Nope!  God is a majority with or without me, but He allows me to tag along and watch His stuff.”

I immediately think of the promise and provision found in Psalm 91 and take heart that I have nothing now to fear because God is a wall of fire about me.  I do not have to be afraid of the terror by day or night.  I do not have to be afraid of the multitudes who seek my destruction.  I know that I have the angelic hosts of God assigned to keep me safe.  I can rest in the comfort that I am in Him and in Him I am safe.  He is my shelter in the time of storm.  He is my shield therefore for anything to touch me it has to go through Him.  Fear then is laid to rest.

THE PROMISE – – “Your Reward will be Very Great.” 

Not just Great but Very Great!  The reward of not allow fear to shipwreck my obedience will be very great.  The reward for having God as my Shield will be very great.  I immediately think of the words of our Lord in Luke 12:32 – “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s GOOD PLEASURE to give you the kingdom.”  (Emphasis mine). 

When I consider the vastness and comprehensiveness of the Blessings of Abraham I am elated.  I think back to the declaration of Galatians 3:29 – “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”   We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus, and the Blessings of Abraham are ours through faith.

Jesus totally defeated the devil at the Cross and in the Resurrection and He is in us, with us, and we are in Him.  We are more than conquerors through Jesus and the Power of the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION:       

We have no reason to fear because God’s word never fails.  We have no reason to fear because the devil is defeated.  We have no reason to fear because His angels are encamped round about us.  We have no reason to fear because God is our Shield, our Defense, our Protection, and our Provision.  We are invited and encouraged to live every day in the Awesomeness of God!           

I pray that this day and every day will be a day of blessing and victory for you!