In Genesis 15, Abram approached God about his deep yearning for a son. Then, God spoke to Abram’s heart about HIS plans to bless him with a multitude of descendants. Let me pause right here for a second…Isn’t that just like God, to go above and beyond what our little minds can conceive?! He didn’t tell Abram that He would simply give him what he wanted. He promised more than the little fella from Ur could ask, think, or imagine. All Abram did in this moment was to trust in, rely on, and remain steadfast to the Lord, and it was those simple actions that the Father counted as righteous and made way for the promise. Then…
When the sun was setting, a deep sleep overcame Abram; and a horror (terror, shuddering fear, nightmare) of great darkness overcame him. God said to Abram, “Know for sure that your descendants will be strangers [living temporarily] in a land (Egypt) that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. But on that nation whom your descendants will serve I will bring judgment, and afterward they will come out [of that land] with great possessions. – Genesis 15:12-14 (AMP)
When I read this story this morning, the thing that struck me most was the darkness and fear that overtook Abram as the covenant was about to be made. Like so many others, I know I have taken my desires before the Lord and He has promised me certain things–both through His Word and by His Spirit. But like so many other Christians, I too often succumb to the tendency to think that these blessings should come easily simply because they’re from God, and God is good. But this Pollyanna-type view has one fatal flaw…it completely eliminates the reality of an enemy who would like nothing better than to kill my hope and destroy my destiny.
As we go through life, waiting for God’s promises to be made manifest, we need to understand that we aren’t in an express lane, awaiting our free gift. We’re on a battlefield. This admission is not to give power to our enemy, but it’s to call him out and say, “We see you, and we’re not fooled. You’re going down today, mister!”
It was so key for me to see how, immediately upon making a promise to Abram, God warned him of the conflict that would follow. We’re not talking about a little setback. We’re talking about 400 YEARS of oppression before his descendants will walk out Egypt, blessed and headed to the Promise Land.
God never promises to keep us free from conflict. He warns us of coming battles, then strengthens us for them and through them, and He assures us of our victory on the other side. A smooth ride is not the promise…Victory is. Blessing is. Strength is. Ability is. Wisdom is. His presence that never leaves us nor forsakes us is.
There is a reason we are told in Philippians to put on the “full armor of God.” We are fighting a very real enemy. We can’t afford to be lulled into a false sense of security. We will not walk out unscathed. But each scar serves as an altar to God, reminding us of a battle we walked out of, perhaps limping but alive. Each chink in our sword represents a clash with the enemy where we emerged the victor. Every drop of sweat and blood and pools of tears represent an opportunity the enemy had to take us out, but instead, he did nothing but serve as the resistance we needed to become stronger and wiser to his schemes.
When we feel forces of darkness pressing in, we need to tighten up the lines of our defense and push through. In a backwards Kingdom, we become victorious when we drop to our knees to pray and raise our hands to worship. In this submission to our King, we push back the forces of darkness and reclaim territory for the Army of Light.
Christianity isn’t for chumps. This war we’re fighting is not just for what we want, but for what GOD wants. God placed the desire in Abram for a child, but ultimately, the child was for God’s purposes. The desires He has placed in our hearts, they will bless us, but they will also serve a purpose far beyond our small-picture wants and needs. We’re taking ground and we’re pushing through by the grace of almighty God, but this isn’t about us living a nice, cushy life in a conflict-free zone. It’s about one Kingdom battling another. Thank God that He has already revealed the end result to us and we’re on the winning side!
A quick side note to keep in mind, Abram didn’t wait perfectly. He tried to make things happen in his own way and made an Ishmael-sized mess of things, but God didn’t revoke the promise. He got Abram back on the right track and He fulfilled all that He promised He would. Abram’s mistakes didn’t disqualify him…mine don’t disqualify me, and yours don’t disqualify you. When we mess up, there’s no need to linger in regret. Just ask God for forgiveness and get back on that horse.
My encouragement to you (and to me) today is, no matter the darkness and trembling fear that may try to settle over us today, keep in mind that God is not man that He should lie. What He promises WILL come to pass. Don’t give up on believing that today. Suit up and show up. Victory is coming!
220 Gal 