My dear friends, there is always divine assurance and reassurance in our relationship with God. He promised that he would not leave us orphans but would come to us in a little while (John 14:18). He speaks to us in various ways and means especially in our quiet moments.
The first reading from the book of Genesis testifies to divine faithfulness. It is all about the dialogue of encounter between God and Abram as the Lord reassured him of his protection and reward. Abram, as we all do, was worried over the state of his promise; worried over his family, his age, and the future of his linage. And the Lord who sees the inmost hearts of men knew what was happening and decided to speak to him in a vision for the purpose of confirming to him that He is still with him and has not changed his mind over his promise. He therefore addressed him in a vision: ‘Have no fear, Abram, I am your shield; your reward will be very great’ (Gen 15: 1).
Invariably, the Lord was telling him: have no fear Abram, I am still the Lord. Have no fear, the promise made to you would be fulfilled. Worry not over your future, I am the Lord of future. I am your shield. Such encouraging divine word is reassuring to anyone who is afraid or anxious.
Abram’s Covenant with God
In that vision, Abram was open to present to the Lord his fears of childlessness and concerns about not having a child of his dream to continue his lineage. But the Lord said to him: ‘He shall not be your heir; your heir shall be of your own flesh and blood’ (Gen 15:4).
He then took him outside and said to him: ‘look up to heaven and count the stars if you can. Such will be your descendants’ (Gen 15: 5). Of course, Abram could not count the stars. Neither could he count the dust on the earth, which God had pointed to in making a similar promise in Genesis 13:16. God assured him that his offspring would be numerous as to be uncountable. He then reminded him how he brought him out of the land of Ur of the Chaldeans to make him the heir of the land. The reassurance was a big boost to Abram. He nevertheless believed God who does not go back on his words. He is always faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).
Responding more to clearing Abram’s fears, God went further to prompt him to seal his relationship in a covenant ritual which he satisfactorily did. And as we know and have witnessed with the psalmist, the Lord ‘remembers his covenant for ever, his promise for a thousand generations (Ps 105: 11). Hence, the dialogue between God and Abram was a huge success. It trustfully increased the faith of Abram had absolute confidence in God despite glaring challenges he was facing. The reward later was indeed great as the Lord had promised. Abram was tested and he proved his faith.
Faith and Trust in the Lord
In our lives as Christians, we should not abandon following the Lord due to challenges of life, especially when they push us to the brink. In such situations, how do we respond? Do we seek God’s face in dialogue and prayer as we can see in Abram, or do we lose hope and seek for an answer not in God’s ways?
What can separate us from the love of Christ? We must not forget that in all circumstances, we are more than conquerors through him who loves us (Rom 8: 37). We are called to emulate our father Abram in his faith and trust in the Lord.
[Readings: Gn 15:1-12, 17-18; Mt 7:15-20]
