Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 7; Genesis 15

“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

“I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.”

– Psalm 7:17 ESV

A quick word of encouragement before we dive in today: always read the Bible in context. Don’t forget that Genesis 15 goes with Genesis 14. Interestingly, my husband just yesterday sent me a link to a satirical Babylon Bee article about reading the Bible one daily texted verse at a time.

Remember that at the end of Genesis 14, Abram gave a tenth of everything to the priest-king Melchizedek, and he refused to keep any of the spoil from the King of Sodom (Genesis 14:20-24). This is the context of the Lord saying 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 El Elyon, God Most High. He is the 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 is who brings judgment, and the Lord is who brings peace.

Like Job said after losing all of his possessions and even his 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 earn our possessions by our own power and strength, rather than seeing them as a gift from God Most High, it’s a lot harder to lose them.

If we feel like we create children by our own will, rather than seeing them as a gift from Creator God, it’s a lot easier to refuse to have them.

When we see everything in life as a gift and the Lord as the ultimate giver, then we can receive whatever 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 gracious giver that You are. You are 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.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.