Explore: Waiting for the promise

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Oct. 25 focuses on Genesis 15:1-7, 13-16.

God was faithful. God is faithful. God will be faithful. This is the theme of the Bible. 

God was faithful in the past

God, who always has been, the immortal, invisible, only wise God, existing uncreated. He was faithful to you in your past. His words were true and trustworthy. They always have been. They always will be. “I am the Yahweh who brought you out (Genesis 15:7). If you pay close attention to biblical characters, you find this motif often. God was faithful in Abraham’s past.

But Abraham was frustrated. He had been told he would father a great nation. Yet, still no offspring. In our culture, we underestimate how important it was for a man in the ancient Near East to see his name continue. I have three sons, so if I lived in Abraham’s day, my wife would be one of the most important women in our clan, simply by having sons and carrying on our “branch.” To some degree, a person’s value in the community was tied to their ability to bear children. 

If you read Deuteronomy—a bit R-rated, at times—you will discover some interesting familial practices. For example, if a man recently was married, he was not required to go off to war for an extended period, in part, so that he could begin a family. And then there is Deuteronomy 25:11-12. I would probably blush if I wrote about it, so you will have to read it yourself. 

Now that you have read it yourself and blushed, does that paint the picture for you? Israel didn’t want anything to stop the family from reproducing. Procreation and the perpetuation of the nation was viewed much more seriously than any of us can imagine.

So in this vision, Abraham brings his chief complaint, “You have given me no children” (Genesis 15:3). But God remind Abraham “I was faithful to you in the past.” This is to ensure Abraham will understand.

God is faithful in the present.

“Do not be afraid, I am your shield.” (Genesis 15:1). Present tense.  So, God does something beautiful. In the vision, he takes Abraham outside to see the stars. In that moment, God promised yet again that indeed, he is faithful now and will be faithful in the future. 

“Look at the stars, if you are able to count them” (Genesis 15:5). Read between the lines a bit. Why stars? “Abraham, who do you suppose is causing those stars to glow?” 

Recently, many of us witnessed the infamous “blood moon.” I was out before the moon turned red. It was huge and bright! I was struck with awe. “That’s my God,” I thought. “That’s his handiwork. He’s spinning these planets, right now, with his mighty power.” Abraham looked up at that same sky. And God said: “I am faithful. I am powerful. I can be trusted, right now.”

Our current circumstances often make it difficult for us to see God’s plan and provision. Whatever predicament or difficult stage you might find yourself in today, know God is faithful in your circumstance. In one week, I’ve encountered a family who lost their only child, a mere teenager; a 78-year-old woman who needed major heart surgery; a set of parents whose daughter was diagnosed with cancer for the sixth time; a grandparent deeply concerned about a grandchild with a drug addiction. In each circumstance, I quickly proclaimed: “God is faithful in this circumstance. He can be trusted.” 

And God communicated to Abraham, “trust me.” I can’t help but think about the great hymn “Only Trust Him.” The chorus reads “Only trust him, only trust him, only trust him now. He will save you, he will save you, he will save you now.” A bit repetitive, but so true, especially the ending: “He will save you now.” God alone has the ability to save us from our fractured circumstances. It was true for Abraham. It is true for you.

God will be faithful in the future

“So shall be your offspring …” (Genesis 15:5). Even though Abraham was frustrated, and truth be told, had shown pretty great patience, God reminded Abraham, at just the right time, he would show faithfulness to Abraham and Sarah. He let Abraham know that, as odd as it might seem to have children at such an old age, he would do it for them. And generations to come would be blessed through faithful Abraham. 

Recently, I was traveling home from our partner church in Germany. On a train early on a Sunday morning, a 14-year-old Syrian boy struck up a simple conversation with me. Of course, the Syrian border crisis has been in the news a lot lately, and this young man was a part of it.

He had been living with “friends of the family” in Germany six months. Now, he was given the responsibility to pick up the rest of his family at the airport in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Upon arriving, a major decision, requested by his father, faced him. No one else in the family had ever been to Europe, so this young man was given the task of deciding what country they should make their home. 

I listened intently, instantly going into “Christian counselor mode.” I told him “I’m a Christian pastor.” He proclaimed, “I am Muslim, so does this mean you are like a Christian imam?”  “Well, sort of. You’ve got the right idea,” I retorted. Then he asked me a question that floored me. “Could you please tell me which country I should tell my father we should move to? Germany or The Netherlands? Can your God tell me through prayer?” Wow! 

I looked at my watch and realized we only had 30 minutes left in our train ride. After some discussion, which included sharing the gospel, I told him indeed, my God could reveal to me which country, but that I would need to pray for him and for a clear direction from God. He agreed. So, right there in the train, I laid my hands on this 14-year-old Muslim boy and prayed with all of my might. It must have been quite a sight there in the train car with the snack bar.

When we finished, he said: “I can see that you are a holy man. So, what did God say?” I replied by assuring him “Only Jesus can make me holy, and indeed he has made me holy! And God said Germany.” Expecting him to say things like, “How do you know?” or “Are you certain?” or maybe “That was a fast answer.” I was a bit shocked when he said, “Then Germany it is.” 

My mind raced. Had I truly heard from God on behalf of this boy? Could I know in a five-minute prayer what was best for this boy, his family and perhaps generations to come? It was all so surprising, so fast, so unusual. In my fear, God whispered, “I am faithful in your present, and I will be faithful in his future.” We got off the train, I directed him how to get to the airport, and as I saw him off to the proper next train, he said: “Your God is faithful. My God takes months to answer prayers. Thank you Pastor Jonathan.” 

As the train moved on, I began to weep like a baby! An encounter I will never forget. Here was a young man, not even a Christian, recognizing the faithfulness of our great God.

Friends, God was faithful in your past, He is faithful in your present, and he will be faithful in our futures, and in some miraculous way, his faithfulness, his common grace, will even extend to those who don’t believe in him. That’s a good, good Father!

Application ideas for your Bible study group:

1. Testimonies are amazingly powerful. Ask someone in advance to share how God has shown his faithfulness in past, present and future.

2. Abraham truly performed a miracle in the lives of Abraham and Sarah. In what way are you seeking God’s faithfulness right now? In what way are you seeking God’s faithfulness for your future? For the future of your children? For the future of your grandchildren?
Pray immediately for those who share these needs. Gather around and place your hands on them as an act of encouragement and pray. Prayer unites.