5 AUGUST
Fear not
‘After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.’ Genesis 15:1
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 56:1–13
After these things:
(i) after Abraham’s conduct towards the king of Sodom, proving the disinterestedness of his spirit and the strength of his faith. He would accept nothing, though offered all. He would not tarnish his good action by admitting selfish views, nor be beholden to a king when he was at God’s keeping. Now the Lord shows him that he shall be no loser.
(ii) It seems to intimate that Abraham, though honoured and successful, had intervals of fear. We find it so now and have reason to think it has been so always. Believer, though in the Lord’s strength you have gained many a battle, you know you cannot live by past experiences. Unless the Lord says again, Fear not, your fears will return like an armed man. And what he said to Abraham in a vision, he says to you, Fear not, … for this promise belongs not to Abraham only, but to all who partake of his faith (as Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5–6).
FOR MEDITATION:
When the wounded spirit hears
Pardon, grace, and peace proclaimed,
The voice of JESUS’ blood;
And the sinner called a child;
How the message stops the tears
Then the stubborn heart is tamed,
Which else in vain had flowed:
Renewed, and reconciled.
Oh! ’twas grace indeed, to spare,
And save a wretch like me!
Men or angels could not bear
What I have offered thee.
SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 29 [2/5], GENESIS 15:1
Milo 