The righteousness of Faith. “Fear not, I am your shield.

Your reward will be very great (Genesis 15:1). The Lord  was renewing His previous promise to Abram.  There's a note of complaint in Abram's response, saying that he is still childless,   Eliezer of Damascus, not one of his descendants is his heir (12:1-3; 13:7). God assures him his heir will come from his own body. He takes him outside to look at the stars and tells him that if he can count the stars “So shall your descendants be.” Abram believed God,  and He credited it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:1-6).  

It shouldn't be hard for us in this age of instant this,  and instant that,   to feel something of Abram's impatience. But it is the testing of our faith that that produces endurance and strengthens it (James 1:3). Abram needed assurance, as we all are at times.  He knows what we need, and the invisible God shows Abram another visible illustration of His promise “if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered” (13:16). Nobody can give an exact count of the stars!

Abram believed God and He credited it to him for righteousness. It is justification (sinful man being put right with God) by faith (Romans 5:1).  Salvation by faith is thought by many,  to be a New Testament concept. In fact from this verse,  it is clearly that it originates in the Old Testament. Outside of the Judaeo-Christain religion, all other religions are about man reaching up to God, doing sacrifice,  obeying rules that are thought to please Him,  her,  or them,!. In light of this,  the place of the Law (i.e. Exodus 20:1-17) is somewhat puzzling. But Paul tells us clearly that nobody will be justified by obeying it (Romans 3:20).

Abram is told not to fear. Fear is a natural reaction of fallen mankind to encountering God. In fact Paul speaks of knowing the terror of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:11 NJKV). But when,  by faith,  we believe God, God himself becomes our shield (verse 1). This did not happen to Israel on the mountain where God gave the Law.  They too were terrified. They asked  Moses to speak to God,  and to tell them what He said. “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die” (Exodus 20:19). As with Abram, God was wanting relationship, but Israel chose rules instead. And a huge part of the Old Testament is showing that obeying rules (the Law),  does not work. The Law was given to demonstrate beyond a shadow of doubt,  that the way of faith is the only way to God (Galatians 3:24; John 14:6).

Many have abused this, misunderstanding what it means to be under grace not under Law (Romans 6:14). Just because we are not under the Law doesn't mean we can be lawless, doing exactly what we want. There are sever warnings about continuing in this way (Hebrews 6:26). The New Testament is also full of commands. In particular we are to love God with all our heart, soul,  mind and strength (Mark 12:30).  And “If you love me, you will obey my commands” (John 14:15).

Father, to all who submit to the righteousness that comes from “obedience to the faith” (Romans 16:26), our reward will also be very great (verse 1 again).  You cannot be mocked Lord,  we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Give us hearts of obedience Lord,  and we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen