1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,520 Speaker 1: After these things, the word of the Lord came unto 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:07,480 Speaker 1: Abraham in a vision, saying, fear not, Abraham, I am 3 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: thy shield and thy exceeding great reward Genesis fifteen one. 4 00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: Dear Heavenly Father, when the season comes, help me to 5 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:22,200 Speaker 1: make the choice to separate and move on, when a 6 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: relationship must transition and come to an end. When I 7 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:30,480 Speaker 1: must choose a new location to move to, I will 8 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 1: not only look at the outward appearance, but will look 9 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:37,240 Speaker 1: intently at the new land and opportunity to make sure 10 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 1: your spirit and presence are there. As I continue to 11 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: move in sync with your commands. I thank you that 12 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: you will continue to bless me and send words of 13 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: encouragement through various people Like Abraham. I declare that multiplication 14 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 1: is in my future. I declare that you will not 15 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: depart from me nor leave my side until you've accomplished 16 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 1: your covenant and promises through me. Thank you, Lord, that 17 00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:13,399 Speaker 1: you are for me like you were for Abraham in 18 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: the book of Genesis. In Jesus name, Amen. Listening to 19 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 1: these daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God. Continue hearing 20 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 1: from the Lord by listening to to Day's Bible. In 21 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: a year brought to you by Bible in a Year 22 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 1: dot com. Abram and Lot separate. Before this story, we 23 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 1: learned about how Abram was called by God to leave 24 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 1: his country, and God would bless him, make his name great, 25 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 1: and make him into a great nation. Yet in Abram's 26 00:01:56,520 --> 00:02:02,559 Speaker 1: heart was imperfections, fears, and faithlessness. Now we will learn 27 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 1: about how Abram and Lot separate and go their own ways, 28 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 1: and how God's faithfulness to Abram saves Lot from danger. 29 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: Then we see a promise made by God that would 30 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 1: change the course of history. Inspired by the Book of Genesis. Hello, 31 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:25,000 Speaker 1: I'm pastor Jack Grahab with today's episode of the Bible 32 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: in a Year podcast. Yesterday we looked at the story 33 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 1: of Abram leaving his home and journeying to a new 34 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 1: land to Canaan. When he left, he brought with him 35 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:39,359 Speaker 1: his wife Sarah and also his nephew Lot. Today, we're 36 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:41,520 Speaker 1: going to cover a lot of grounds, starting with Lot 37 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:45,640 Speaker 1: and Abram and how their stories differ. You're about to 38 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:48,959 Speaker 1: see lots story. Though he was with Abram, he took 39 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 1: a decidedly different direction. It's a sad story about decisions 40 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 1: being seduced by the apparent beauty of a place while 41 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:01,919 Speaker 1: neglecting to see the wickedness, that toxic wickedness that was 42 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 1: brewing beneath the surface. We contrast that with the choices 43 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: made while seeking God and depending upon him. You'll also 44 00:03:10,880 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 1: hear how Abram is coming into his own as a 45 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 1: wise man who worships God and who cares more about 46 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:21,679 Speaker 1: honoring the Lord than receiving honor to himself. Finally, we'll 47 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 1: see how Abram has learned, at least for now, to 48 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 1: wait on God's timing and to plead with him, to 49 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 1: plead with God for answers when the promise of descendants 50 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 1: is still not fulfilled. It's a lesson for how you 51 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: could approach God. How you can approach God honestly, asking 52 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 1: for the desires of your heart, even as you wait 53 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: faithfully on His timing. Now Here is today's reading. Abram 54 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: and Lot both increased in riches and influence, so much 55 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 1: so that their livestock, servants, and warriors could no longer 56 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 1: inhabit the same lad And to keep their people from 57 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 1: warring against one another, Abram proposed, they separate, separate from me. 58 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 1: If you take the left, then I will go to 59 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 1: the right. Or if you take the right, then I 60 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 1: will go to the left. Lot took Abram up on 61 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: his generous offer and looked out at the Jordan Valley 62 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 1: and saw that it was full of fertile plains in 63 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:26,800 Speaker 1: the direction of Zore. The plains were watered everywhere and 64 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:29,920 Speaker 1: reminded him of the old stories of the Garden of Eden. 65 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 1: Lot chose the whole Jordan Valley and everything east of them. 66 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 1: He then took his flocks and servants there, then parted 67 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:43,280 Speaker 1: with Abram and settled in the land of Sodom. Though 68 00:04:43,279 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 1: the land was beautiful, Lot had wandered into a city 69 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:51,040 Speaker 1: filled with all kinds of evils, men and women, plagued 70 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 1: with a wicked and debased culture. Lingered there, and Lot 71 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 1: later on would find himself in great danger. Abram looked 72 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: to the west towards Canaan, God who had promised fruitful 73 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 1: land to Abram, met him there and spoke, lift up 74 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 1: your eyes and see where you are, north, south, east, 75 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: and west. Every piece of land you see, I will 76 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 1: give to you and your descendants forever from you. I 77 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:24,839 Speaker 1: will fill the earth with my righteousness. So Abram moved 78 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 1: his tent and settled by the oaks of Mamory. Beside Hebron, 79 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: and there he worshiped the Lord with a full heart. 80 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:36,839 Speaker 1: Towards the east, a great war spread like a plague 81 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:39,840 Speaker 1: across the region. The four kings of the cities in 82 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:44,080 Speaker 1: Sodom and Gomorrah rebelled against the confederation of five kings 83 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:49,039 Speaker 1: ruling over them. War, bloodshed, theft, and rape burned through 84 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:53,159 Speaker 1: lots Land like a wild fire. A fierce and brutal 85 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 1: battle traveled towards the valley of the Dead Sea. The 86 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 1: four rebel kings clashed against their overlords, with thousands of 87 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 1: men behind them. Running into battle, the armies of Sodom 88 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 1: and Gomorrah were gripped by the tarpits below the valley, 89 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:13,039 Speaker 1: trapped and slaughtered slowly by their enemies. While some were 90 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 1: mercilessly torn apart, others fled to the hills to die 91 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: slowly in shame. In the aftermath stood Lot helplessly, robbed, beaten, 92 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:28,600 Speaker 1: then kidnapped by the confederate kings. They had taken everything 93 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 1: he owned, including all of the women and children under 94 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 1: his care. Lot was now totally consumed by the wicked 95 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 1: land he had chosen as a home and a slave 96 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:42,279 Speaker 1: to the people he chose to dwell with one of 97 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 1: Lot's spies, escaped the confederate kings and ran towards the west, 98 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:50,520 Speaker 1: where Abram lived in peace with his allies, memory escort 99 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: and an air. The word of Lot's captivity came to Abram, 100 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:58,599 Speaker 1: and there was no time wasted. Abram assembled three hundred 101 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:03,160 Speaker 1: and eighteen of his trains men and prepared them for battle. Together, 102 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:07,119 Speaker 1: they traveled a great distance to retrieve Lot. Abram's land 103 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: was at peace. This was not his war, yet God 104 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 1: was grooming him to be a hero. Abram did not 105 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 1: storm the valley on horseback, nor did his army charge 106 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 1: into battle with the horns of war behind them. They 107 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 1: waited for the dark quiet of the night. Abram divided 108 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:30,120 Speaker 1: his army and had them swiftly take over the enemy. 109 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: With quiet tact and swiftness. Abram took back Lot, his possessions, 110 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: his people, and drove the rest of the enemy out 111 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: to the north to be killed. Afterwards, Abram was met 112 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 1: by a mysterious king and priest named Melchizedek. He brought 113 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: Abram bread and wine, then blessed him, saying, blessed be 114 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 1: Abram from the most High God, the creator of heaven 115 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: and Earth. Blessed be the most High God, who delivered 116 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 1: your enemies to you. Melchizedek spoke of Abram's God and 117 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: a land that did not know him, and was a 118 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: priest of God before priests existed. Melchizedek's blessing mirrored that 119 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: of God's, and Abram was astounded. Of all the possessions 120 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 1: Abram had, he gave Melchizedek a tenth. This interaction between 121 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 1: Abram and Melchizedek would be important for years and years 122 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: to come. Shortly after, Abram was approached by the King 123 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:34,720 Speaker 1: of Sodom. The king desired to reward Abram for his 124 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: victory and offered Abram the spoils of war. Yet Abram 125 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: knew the wickedness lying beneath. He saw the king lying 126 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:46,560 Speaker 1: through his teeth. He knew that the king wanted Abram 127 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 1: to be indebted to him. Abram, in a moment of honor, said, 128 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 1: I have fought for the Lord, owner of heaven and earth. 129 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 1: I will not take even a sandal strap from you, 130 00:08:57,480 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 1: lest you think it is you who has made me rich. 131 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:04,440 Speaker 1: So Abram allowed his allies to take their share, but 132 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 1: he took nothing and returned home after rejecting the reward 133 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:12,680 Speaker 1: from the King of Sodom. The Lord then visited Abram 134 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 1: in a vision. Again. He made a promise to Abram, saying, 135 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: I am your shield, and I will provide you with 136 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 1: a great reward. Abram, filled with sadness, looked to God, saying, oh, Lord, 137 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:30,080 Speaker 1: you say you want to bless me and my descendants, 138 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 1: Yet I remain childless. Shall I be forced to give 139 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 1: all that I have to a servant of my household? 140 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:42,080 Speaker 1: Shall he inherit my land? God, with tender love and compassion, 141 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:46,600 Speaker 1: spoke gently to Abram. Look to the skies. See how 142 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: the stars are countlessly scattered throughout the universe. Your descendants 143 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: will be just as these stars, great in number and 144 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 1: abounding in beauty. Abram, despite the doubt and anguish in 145 00:09:59,520 --> 00:10:03,560 Speaker 1: his heart, believed God. It was this faith that God 146 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:07,000 Speaker 1: counted as righteousness. It was this faith that God would 147 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:11,559 Speaker 1: bless him with. Again, God spoke, saying, I am the 148 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 1: one who brought you out of Erth and the land 149 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: of the Chaldeans. I brought you out to give you 150 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 1: this land to take possession of because I am the Lord. Abram, 151 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 1: still in faith, asked how he would take possession of 152 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: the land already inhabited by so many people. God responded 153 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: with a task, bring me a female calf who is 154 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,760 Speaker 1: not given birth, a goat, and a ram, all three 155 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 1: years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon. 156 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: So Abram brought all of what the Lord asked for, 157 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:48,080 Speaker 1: cut them in half, and arranged the halves opposite of 158 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 1: each other. The birds he did not cut in half, 159 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:55,439 Speaker 1: though blood scattered all around Abram, and his hands stained 160 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:59,839 Speaker 1: in red. Abram fell into a very deep sleep, and 161 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:03,679 Speaker 1: a dreadful darkness came over him. God met him in 162 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:07,559 Speaker 1: his sleep, saying, no, for certain that your offspring will 163 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:11,040 Speaker 1: be sojourners and strangers in a land that is not theirs. 164 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:15,120 Speaker 1: There they will be servants, and they will be afflicted 165 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 1: for four hundred years. But I am faithful, and I 166 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:22,280 Speaker 1: will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and 167 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 1: afterward they shall come out with great possessions. This he 168 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: spoke of, regarding the captivity of Egypt. As for you, 169 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:34,880 Speaker 1: you shall go to your fathers in peace. You shall 170 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:39,800 Speaker 1: be buried in a good old age. The night had continued, 171 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:43,240 Speaker 1: and Abram awoke to a burning flame between the pieces 172 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:46,400 Speaker 1: of flesh, and just as God had provided a covering 173 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: for Adam and Eve in the garden with the furs 174 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 1: of an animal, and protected Noah from the flood using 175 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 1: the ark. So God provided a promise to Abram there 176 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:59,839 Speaker 1: that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, 177 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:03,880 Speaker 1: I give this land to your descendants. And God would 178 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 1: not depart from Abram's side for the rest of his days, 179 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 1: nor would he forsake his children. Today's reading opens with 180 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 1: two men who are greatly prospering in the land God 181 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:25,000 Speaker 1: has brought them into. Abraham is older and wiser, and 182 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 1: he sees the potential for conflict even within a family, 183 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:32,679 Speaker 1: over land and prosperity and property, And as he in Lot, 184 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:37,319 Speaker 1: both grow in riches and in influence. So he gives 185 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: Lot the first pick of which land to settle, and 186 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,360 Speaker 1: he agrees that he will take what Lot does not choose. 187 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 1: Lot sees the beauty and the glory and the riches 188 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 1: of the land near the Jordan River, where the cities 189 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 1: of Sodom and Gomorrah were located. This is the land 190 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: he chose. Perhaps he was blinded by the abundance and 191 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 1: lushness of the area, but for whatever reason, he did 192 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: not take into account the wickedness, the vile wickedness of 193 00:13:06,760 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 1: the people in that area. Abram, on the other hand, 194 00:13:10,679 --> 00:13:13,720 Speaker 1: went to God, and God showed him where he would settle. 195 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:17,559 Speaker 1: So we see the contrast of acting based on our 196 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: own wisdom as Lot did, versus seeking God's counsel and 197 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 1: guidance in every aspect of life. The difference could not 198 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 1: be more pronounced. Abram was blessed and continued to grow 199 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:33,839 Speaker 1: in riches and influence. But Lot, it wasn't long before 200 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 1: a Lot was in deep, deep trouble. Wars and rebellion 201 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 1: threatened Lot's very life, and he was beaten, robbed, and kidnapped. 202 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:44,679 Speaker 1: Abram steps in as the hero and comes to the 203 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:47,679 Speaker 1: rescue of his nephew. We see Abrahm not as a 204 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:50,840 Speaker 1: nomadic traveler, but a warrior who comes in and conquers 205 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 1: the enemy, driving them out of the land and restoring 206 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 1: his nephew Lot. This wasn't Abraham's war, but he intervened. 207 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: As a result, Abram has an encounter with a high 208 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 1: priest named Melchizedek who worship Abram's God. This priest blesses 209 00:14:08,320 --> 00:14:12,000 Speaker 1: Abram and astounds him as his blessing reminds Abram of 210 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:15,959 Speaker 1: the blessing God has given him. There is another lesson 211 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:18,560 Speaker 1: we learn in this story, and that is with Abram's 212 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 1: interaction with the king of Sodom, who tries to align 213 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 1: himself with Abram. But Abram, rather than accepting the glory 214 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 1: and the honor, trust in the Lord. He turns back 215 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 1: to the Lord. We can be tempted to accept praise 216 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: from other men for our victories, but Abram reminds us 217 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 1: that God is the source of our strength. He is 218 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: our victory and the one for whom we live and strive. Finally, 219 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 1: we see Abram pleading with God for his promises to 220 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 1: be fulfilled. He is yet without descendants, and rather than 221 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: taking matters into his own hands, he goes before God. 222 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 1: I love the honesty of his interaction with God and 223 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 1: the Lord's gentle and loving response. Here is what Genesis fifteen, 224 00:15:03,160 --> 00:15:08,840 Speaker 1: verses two through six says. But Abram said, Lord God, 225 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:11,400 Speaker 1: what will you give me? Since I am childless and 226 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 1: the heir of my house is Eliezar of Damascus. Abram 227 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 1: also said, since you have given me no son, one 228 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:20,680 Speaker 1: who has been born into my house and is my heir, 229 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:24,000 Speaker 1: then behold the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 230 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 1: this man will not be your error, but one who 231 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 1: will come from your own body shall be your heir. 232 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 1: And he took him outside and said, now look toward 233 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:36,840 Speaker 1: the heavens and count the stars. If you are able 234 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 1: to count them, And he said to him, so shall 235 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 1: your descendants be. Then he believed in the Lord, and 236 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 1: it was credited unto him as righteousness. God comforts Abram 237 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 1: and adds to the promise he will give him more 238 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 1: than he could ever even fathom. How gracious of God 239 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: to not only reaffirm the promises he had made to Abram, 240 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 1: but to point to the night sky as a reminder 241 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 1: of that promise. You can just imagine how every time 242 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 1: Abram grew discouraged or tired and felt that his faith 243 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:13,240 Speaker 1: was giving way, he looked up into a brilliant night 244 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:17,480 Speaker 1: sky lit up with the stars, and remembered God's promise. 245 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:22,160 Speaker 1: In response, Abram offers a sacrifice, and the Lord makes 246 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: a covenant with him. Then and there, this is where 247 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:29,000 Speaker 1: we leave Abram for today. Once again, his story offers 248 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:32,520 Speaker 1: you a wonderful example of faith and submission to God, 249 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 1: and the timing the Lord brings, oh that we would 250 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 1: trust in our Lord so fully as Abram, dear Father 251 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 1: in heaven, Thank you that we can trust you and 252 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 1: seek you for wisdom in every aspect of our lives. 253 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 1: We are so grateful for Abraham's story and how it 254 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 1: teaches us to always live by faith and not sight, 255 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 1: and to trust in His promises always in Jesus name. Amen. 256 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:03,239 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 257 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 1: I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the Prey 258 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: dot com app and make prayer a priority in your life. 259 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 1: If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love. 260 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:16,919 Speaker 1: By sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in 261 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:20,400 Speaker 1: someone's life. And if you want more resources on how 262 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:24,520 Speaker 1: to tap into God's power for successful Christian living, be 263 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 1: sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. God bless This 264 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare solution 265 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 1: for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.