Theme: THE REWARD OF FAITH
Text: “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” – Genesis 15:5, 6.
Comment: When Abraham was agitated over the fulfilment of God’s promise to him to bless him with the fruit of his loins, the Almighty God asked him to come out of the doors to see the numberless stars, so was the fitting assurance that “So shall thy seed be”. Convinced of God’s power and unfaltering nature, Abraham did not doubt what he had been told and believed on Him as the leading text states.
To the Hebrew Christians, Saint Paul wrote: “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” – Hebrews 6:13-15.
Still on Abraham’s legendary faith, Saint Paul again writes: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:20-22). The birth of Isaac was the reward of his implicit faith in God. – Genesis 21:1-7.
It is therefore expected that Christians demonstrate unwavering faith in God steadfastly in order to be rewarded by His grace.