BIBLE LESSON

“After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.’”

With faith in God, Abram left for the Promised Land, but at times he showed his lack of faith and from fear of others did wrong. To help Abram overcome his faults and fears, God did the unexpected: God gave him a “very great reward.” Abram’s reward was God himself, the very presence of God in his life. No one can receive a greater reward. No one would be able to take Abram’s reward away from him; and though unseen, God would be with Abram wherever he went. Furthermore, God would be Abram’s shield. No one and no thing are greater than Almighty God. God himself would protect Abram, so he would never need to fear anyone or anything again. Abram’s great reward was a happy relationship with God and the assurance of receiving the fulfillment of the promises and protection of God. After hearing God’s words, “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Abram believed God and proved his belief every time he obeyed God. God did not reckon or hold his sins against him, because he believed everything God said. The Bible teaches: “Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them” (Romans 4:8). Because Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for Abram’s sins and for the sins all who will believe, anyone can receive the reward Abram received. In Christ, God demonstrated grace, justice, love, mercy, forgiveness, and righteousness completely, and God will forgive, consider righteous, and be the great reward of those who believe in Him.