The Firmness of Abraham's Faith
Chapter Ten(TOC)
The Firmness of Abraham's Faith
"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God."—Romans 4:20.
In this chapter (Genesis 15), for the first time in Scripture, four striking phrases occur; but each of them is destined to be frequently repeated with many charming variations. We may speak then of this precious paragraph as of some upland vale where streamlets take their rise which are to flow seawards, making glad the lowland pasture lands on their way. Now, first, we meet the phrase, "the word of the Lord came." Here, first, we are told that "the Lord God is a shield." For the first time rings out the silver chime of that Divine assurance, "Fear not!" And now we first meet in human history that great, that mighty word, "believed." What higher glory is there for man than that he should reckon on the faithfulness of God? For this is the meaning of all true belief.
The "word of the Lord" came to Abraham about two distinct matters.