Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 18; Genesis 15

"I love you, O LORD, my strength. 
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, 
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, 
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, 
and I am saved from my enemies.... 
This God -- his way is perfect; 
the word of the LORD proves true; 
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." 
- Psalm 18:1-3, 30 ESV

"After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: 
"Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."
 - Genesis 15:1 ESV

A quick word of encouragement before we dive in today: always read the Bible in context. When you read Genesis 15, remember that it comes after Genesis 14 😊 At the end of Genesis 14, Abram gave a tenth of everything to the priest-king Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20) and refused to take any of the spoil for himself from the king of Sodom (Genesis 14:21-24).

This is the context of the Lord speaking to Abram, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

In today’s reading I was again encouraged that the Lord is the ultimate possessor of all things, so He is able to give as He pleases. The Lord is who gives children and the Lord is who gives land. The Lord brings judgment and the Lord brings peace.

It reminds me of what Job said after losing all of his possessions and children, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21 ESV)

If we feel like we have worked for our own possessions by our own power and strength, it’s a lot harder to lose them, than if we see them as a gift. If we feel like we create children by our own will, it’s a lot easier to refuse them. When we see everything in life as a gift and the Lord as the ultimate giver, then we can receive what He sends with thanksgiving and humility.

Let’s pray for our hearts to be humble and thankful before our Almighty generous God,

Heavenly Father,

I pray that I would rightly see You as the great and generous giver, the one who gives and takes away. I pray that I would take refuge in the shadow of Your wings, trusting that whatever You have planned is for my good and for Your glory.

Help me to be humble. Help me to be patient. Help me to be truly thankful for all of my blessings – my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my friends, my church, my country, my home and my health, my clothing and food, and every breath that I take.

Thank You for the grace which You have lavished on me.

Thank You for Your undeserved forgiveness through the blood of Christ poured out for me.

Thank Your for Your Word which is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who leads me and comforts me.

Thank You for sending Your Only Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to die in my place.

We praise You, Lord, in His Mighty Name, Amen.