03/11/2023 - I AM YOUR SHIELD

• 
• 
• 
• 

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”  Genesis 15.1

Upon hearing that his nephew had been taken captive with the inhabitants of Sodom, Abraham decided to go there (Genesis 13.7-13). This event served as a warning to Lot that there was no point in being greedy, as he was when looking at the Jordan plain, which was well watered with rivers and tributaries (Genesis 13.10). When taken, Abraham’s nephew had all his wealth taken away at the hands of the four victorious kings (Genesis 14.12-17). Immediately, he must have realized that he had made a bad choice, but Abraham, as soon as he heard about that, went into battle!

Surely Lot felt at home watching his uncle fighting and defeating the four kings and leading the people back to their land. To see Abraham as a war machine, wounding many without being wounded, must have embarrassed his nephew. Because of the patriarch’s covenant with the Lord, Lot, his family and his possessions were saved. But still, Lot did not repent!

Abraham kept his word, and the Lord saw it. Before he left for the front line of the war, he raised his hand, asking for help and promising not to take any of the spoil, for his action was an act of justice. Then, after everything settled down and he told the king of Sodom that he would not take anything for himself because of his oath to the Lord, God said to Abraham, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield.

What a reward! Abraham did not go into battle to hear the Lord’s declaration, but to carry out justice, delivering his nephew from the shame of becoming a slave to a worldly king. The patriarch was God’s servant, and that was all he wanted. However, the greedy Lot would see his empire taken away with his family members – wife and two daughters. The heavenly Father commanded Abraham to strengthen himself and never let any doubt enter his heart. After all, God was on his side!

You are lost if you are not yet part of the New Covenant established by Jesus with mankind when He shed His own blood on behalf of many (Matthew 26.28). If you die at this stage, your eternal destiny will be the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:11-15). Stop and pray to God, confessing Jesus as your Savior. Thank Him for taking away your sins and your infirmities and give yourself the joy of having the Almighty as your Shield. He is insurmountable!

The blessing received by Abram included this phrase: I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. What more could he want if the Lord was his exceeding great reward? Friend, work and live for God, for He will make the same declaration for you. Believe that He loves you indeed and will keep you from all evil. Nothing more is needed than the statement of the verse above. The saved will experience the value of this in Heaven!

Why waver through life, postponing something more important than any material possession? The saved are protected today and will continue to be for eternity (2 Corinthians 6:1,2). Will you put off this decision for later? Your later may be too late! What will you do after death, if repentance and salvation are acquired on Earth? Do something!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares