Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Category: Christian Page 33 of 169

Promises amidst Great Darkness

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On August 18, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 15:12 reads “And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.” And it is in this state, that the Lord speaks to Abram. The Lord tells him to be assured that though his seed would be a stranger and slaves in a land that is not their own (for four hundred years), The Lord will judge the nation who will be their master. His seed will be come out of the land of their captivity with great substance (possessions) and he himself will pass away in peace. Then The Lord makes a covenant to him after accepting Abram’s sacrifice that he will give to Abram’s seed the land and lists out the region that would be Abram’s property. 

While, on the surface, it may seem that a word of sojourning and slavery is not exactly what Abram would want to hear when he was engulfed with a horrifying darkness, closer scrutiny of what the Lord was promising Abram reveals certain hidden treasures from the Scripture, which is actually quite amazing. 

First, this is a promise of progeny. Abram had no child of his own at this time, and yet the Lord promises to Abram a seed and a nation from him. 
Second, this is a promise of protection. The Lord promises to be the judge of the nations that enslaves the seed of Abram.
Third, this is a promise of provision. The Lord promises to bring Abram’s children, out of their land of slavery with great provisions (substance) proving to Abram that he indeed is Jehovah-Jireh.
Fourth, this is a promise of peace. While Abram was a in a state of fear (as a dreadful darkness loomed around him), The Lord promises him Abram will go to his grave in a good old age in peace.
Finally,  this is a promise of property. The Lord lists out the land of 10 nations (Kenite, Kenizzite, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaims, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites) as the lands that he will give to Abram.

Points to ponder:
When it seems like you are in a dark place and all that surrounds you just darkness (great darkness), listen intently to what The Lord is promising you … it may be a promise of progeny to the one who is barren, a promise of protection to the one who is defensless, a promise of great provision to the one who is needy, a promise of peace to those who are unrestful, and a promise of property to the one who has no possessions … or it may be all of the above. What is The Lord promising to you today (amidst great darkness that may be surrounding you)?

Genesis 15:12-21 (KJV)
12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

Drive them away

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On August 14, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Abram asked the Lord as to how he would know that he would inherit the land that the Lord was giving him, the Lord asked Abram to bring him a sacrifice of a heifer, she goat, ram, each three years old, a turtledove and a young pigeon. Abram did as he was told and he brought these animals and birds as a sacrifice to the Lord. But when the birds of the air came down upon the sacrifice, Abram drove them away.

Points to ponder:
When we present our lives as a living sacrifice to the Lord, there are many things that attempt to steal our sacrifice away. What we ought to do is drive all these things away, just as Abram did. We need to watch for the all which try to steal the sacrifice of our lives to the Lord, and drive them away. Are you a driver?

Genesis 15:9-11 (KJV)
9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

Whereby shall I know?

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On August 12, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 15:8 expresses the question that Abram posed to God, when God told him that he would give to Abram, the land where he was. Abram asked “Whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?”

Interestingly the phrase “Whereby shall I know” is mentioned ad verbatim only twice in the King James Version of the Holy Bible. The first time, it is used in this context of Abram questioning God and the second time it is mentioned, it is in the context of the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth. Zacharias (the father of John the Baptist) questions angel Gabriel, about the possibility of such a birth, for he did not believe the words of the angel (Luke 1:20), as he mentions that he and his wife were old (Luke 1:18;13-20). Zacharias questioned “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.” The angel tells Zacharias that he would be not be able to speak until the time when the prophecy of John’s birth is fulfilled.

Now let us go back to Abram. Abram asks the same question, “Whereby shall I know” to the Lord himself and yet does not face any consequence such as Zacharias. Why is that so? Closely scrutiny reveals a couple of hidden treasures in this account. First, Abram did not disbelieve God. If you see his words that follow the question … which reads “I shall inherit it”, we can see faith expressed in words – words of assurance that what God was promising Abram, was going to come to pass, in due course of time. Second, Abram did not focus on his own self unlike Zacharias, who saw his old age, as an impediment to God, fulfilling his prophecies.

Points to ponder:
What God wants from us is for us to simply and only believe. When we question God of his plans for our life, let us not question him with disbelief in our hearts, but rather let us do so with assurance that what he says shall come to pass. Also, we in our fragile nature and self can add nothing to God’s Sovereignty. What God says will come to pass. When we look at ourselves and our abilities, we may end up questioning God with disbelief, and may face unintended consequences. Let us instead look at God and his Sovereignty, which would make us question God with the right attitude in our heart – the heart of belief. Next time, you ask God, “Whereby shall I know?”, take a moment to pause and ponder – are you asking with belief or doubt?, – who are you looking at, when you are asking this question – God or youself? Whereby shall I know for it shall be! 

Genesis 15:8 (KJV)
8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

Luke 1:18 (KJV)
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

Inheritance Source

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On August 11, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 15:7 states “And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.” What is interesting to note is that the Lord first identifies himself (I am the Lord) and then expresses that it was he, who brought Abram out of the land that was predominantly pagan (the Ur of the Chaldees), and then gives his reason for bringing Abram out of the pagan land, which is to give Abram the land to inherit it. It was the Lord who is the source of Abram’s inheritance.

Points to ponder:

The Lord wants us to leave all our unholy pagan (worldly) ties and to follow him to where he wants us to go in our lives. We like Abram must obey, so that he can bring us out of our worldly ways and give us the inheritance that he has planned for us. God brings us out to give us an inheritance. He is the ultimate Source of our Inheritance. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we are brought out of this world and given his kingdom/land (heaven) to inherit it. Have you believed in Jesus Christ?

Genesis 15:7 (KJV)
7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

What really counts (for righteousness)?

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On August 8, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Abram dialogs with God about him being childless, God takes him out (of his tent most likely) and asks him to look toward heaven and count the stars that he saw (which could not be counted), telling Abram, that his descendants shall be like those stars, innumerable. The Bible does not tell us if Abram attempted to count the stars, but it does tell us that Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.

God asked Abram to count and what really counted was Abram’s belief, not his action or attempt to count the stars.

Points to ponder:
It is not our action (or attempt) to do what we are asked to do, but it is our belief of taking God at his word, that counts. Only belief matters. Only belief counts. The greatest belief, that matters, is your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ … for when you believe in Jesus Christ, then his righteousness (not our own – which are like filthy rags – Isaiah 64:6) is counted (or credited) for us (Romans 3:22). Has it been counted to you for righteousness … in other words, Have you believed in the Lord (Jesus Christ)?

Genesis 15:5-6 (KJV)  
5 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.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Heritage from Within

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On August 7, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 15:3-4 gives us the dialog that transpired between Abram and the Lord. Abram tells God that he had not yet been blessed by a child (seed) by the Lord and the one who is born in his house (referring to Eleazar his steward) will be his heir. To this the Lord responds that there one born in his house shall not be his heir, but instead, the one who shall come forth from within (his bowels) shall be his heir.

While in a literal sense this would mean that it would Abram’s own child who will be his heir, it figuratively reveals a hidden treasure that we must not overlook. The heir that God was speaking about for Abram was not merely seeds, but Seed (singularly) speaking of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, through the lineage of Abram (Galatians 3:16).

Points to ponder:
The Bible refers to Jesus Christ, the One within us, who is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Just as the child of Abram is his heir, those who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in us, are heirs to God himself. Heritage comes from within … for when we receive Christ to live within us, we are made heirs to God (Romans 8:17).

Genesis 15:3-4 (KJV)
3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

Colossians 1:27 (KJV)
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Romans 8:15-17 (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

The one question to ask God (Everyone)

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On August 6, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When God tells Abram that he himself is his protector (shield) and provider (exceeding great reward), one would expect, to see Abram respond with gratitude, but the Bible records that instead of praise, Abram has a question for God. He question was “Lord God, what wilt thou give me?” and expressed his recognition of God’s awareness that he was childless. Abram was unsatisfied because he lacked the seed (a child) for his legacy to continue. All the things that he would get and amass would be futile when it could not be passed on. We would later see that God promises to Abram, the Seed, speaking of Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:16) through whom Abram’s name shall be made great and nations blessed. However, here let us focus on the question that Abram asked, which is what I believe, each one of us should ask … especially those who have not received Jesus, the Seed.

Points to ponder:
Let us be like Abram, unsatisfied, until we have received Jesus Christ, the Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), the Seed of Abram (Genesis 15:4-5), the promised Seed (Galatians 3:16). All the possessions and pleasures of the world amount to nothing, if we do not have Christ Jesus, the Seed, germinate in our lives, taking root in it and making us fruitful, so that nations can be blessed through us. If you have not received Jesus Christ, may your question be, “Lord God, what wilt thou give me?”

Genesis 15:2 (KJV)
2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

Exceeding Great Reward

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On August 5, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When God tells Abram, that he is his reward, he says, “I am thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1). The words that are used to describe God as a reward are exceeding and great. Psalm 86:10 avers that God is a great God, the only Great God, who does wondrous things. Now, here we learn that God is not merely great, he is exceedingly great.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word ‘exceeding’ as one which is ‘exceptional in amount, quality or degree.’ and the word ‘great’ as one ‘remarkable in magnitude, degree and effectiveness’. God is not only exceptional but remarkably great as the reward.

Points to ponder:
What is the kind of reward you seek? We often strive to get the greatest reward, we can possibly get, for our achievements, but even more greater than the greatest reward, that we can get for ourselves, is God himself … who is exceedingly greater than the greatest. Seek God first by rejecting what the world has to offer so that God himself can be your exceeding great reward. Let God be our exceeding great reward.

Genesis 15:1 (KJV)
1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Psalm 86:9-10 (KJV)
9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

God, your reward

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On August 4, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 15:1 states “After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

It is noteworthy to recognize that not only does God assures Abram of his personal protection (I am your shield) but also assures him of his personal provisions (thy exceeding great reward). Abram, who had rejected the offer of the earthly king of Salem was being rewarded now by God, the heavenly King of kings, himself. Secondly, it is important to note, that in a world where reward is generally materialistic and expected as something that given for one’s action and achievements, God, here is saying that Abram’s reward was not some materialistic article, but that God, the possessor of all materials (heaven and earth), himself, was his reward.

Points to ponder:
Those who reject possessions from wicked ones (as was the king of Salem) can be assured that God will reward them by being their reward himself. The choice we have is to either choose a reward for ourselves and accept that which we are offered, or let God choose for us, himself, as our reward. And when God is our reward, we have not need for any other materialistic possessions, for God, Most High, is the possessor of the heaven and the earth. Is God, reward?

Genesis 15:1 (KJV)
15 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

God, your Shield

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On July 28, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 15:1 states “After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” It is noteworthy to recognize that after the words of assurance to “fear not”, God assures Abram of his protection stating that he is his shield, on one hand, giving the reason for his words of assurance, while on the other, expressing God’s personal protection. God is saying here, that he is ‘the shield’ meaning that he is the defender. In other words, God is saying that if anyone plans to defeat Abram, they would need to go through him first.

A shield is primarily a defensive weapon, absorbing and deflecting the blows of the enemy, while secondarily functioning as a offensive weapon in a limited fashion, pushing the attacker backward. However, a shield that is not lifted up in front of the person who needs protection affords no protection whatsoever.

Points to ponder:
Often times, we seem to find ourselves defending our position and place instead of relying on God and being still, knowing that he is God (Psalm 46:10) – our shield, our defender. We are counseled to take up the shield (of faith) but here we also learn that we need to take up (raise up) Jesus Christ – THE Shield (whose name is Faithful – Revelation 19:11) by whom, we can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Is God, your shield? Is Jesus raised up to be your defender for when he is, if anyone plans to defeat you (in any sphere of life), they would need to go through him first … and guess what, no one will be able to. Is Jesus, your shield?

Genesis 15:1 (KJV)
1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

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