February 6, 2018 Genesis 15:1 God the Omniscient

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 NKJV

The Mighty God of Heaven and Earth never says: "Oops." The Omniscient (All-Knowing) God never whispers to Himself, "I didn't see that coming!" in relation to whatever happens in our life. Abram, who later would be re-named "Abraham", faced many varied hardships immediately after this vision.

The LORD is Omniscient. He will never increase in knowledge, or in understanding. Our lives are utterly secure in relation to Him because He is our Shield. He is our Protector. Whatever happens to us in our lives, whatever we might count as good or bad, God has His shield surrounding us so that all things, every single circumstance, will ultimately be shown to be good.

The descendant of Abram is Jesus Christ. He is the Exceedingly Great Reward for all the world and especially all who believe on Him. Jesus reveals to us the Father. Jesus demonstrated in His Own body the Shield the Father promised.

The wrath of God against our sin was poured out on Jesus at the cross--that means all the condemnation we deserved for every single act of sin and every single good thing we should have done but neglected to do--was vented on Jesus like a firehose of punishment and appropriate anger. And by the accomplished work of Jesus, all who believe in Him, are forever shielded from God's rightful punishment against sin and are now called sons and daughters of the Most High God.

Conversely, those who know of God but do not follow Him will receive the just reward for this rebellion--it is punishment. Those who know of Christ, but do not exercise faith in Him nor walk according to the commands of the Bible will find that God is the Just Judge. He will reward the sinful conduct of men and women with an eternity in hell where those who rejected Him and His mercy in their life-time will FOR ETERNITY bear the punishment their sins deserve.

In Jesus Christ our exceedingly great reward is: to know God right now. And this reward is called "exceedingly great" for this reason: by the work of God's Spirit within us (another reward God generously gives to us) we get to know God better and more fully (another reward) through the study of the Bible (another reward) and by maturing faith (another reward) we anticipate the joy of the new heavens and the new earth (another reward) where death is no more and sin is forever banished (another reward) and God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit unites all believers and heals the nations (another reward).

Truly God, You are our Shield and Exceedingly Great Reward! Increase my faith. By Your Holy Spirit draw me to study the Bible and deepen my commitment to follow Jesus Christ. I desire to be obedient to Your commands, Spirit of God, help me to walk the Jesus way when I am tired, or when I seem to be all alone in such obedience and especially when don't feel like doing so! There are many friends and family members who know of You, but refuse to follow You, break down their stubborn resistance and give them a heart that finds in You alone the true reward which You so mercifully promise! Glory to Your Name. Honour and Power are Yours God of gods and LORD of Lords. Amen.