Above and Beyond

Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.” And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” -Genesis 15.4-5

Abram and God are discussing the fulfillment of God's promise, and Abram presents the facts from a human perspective. He has no son, no biological descendant, and so logically, his servant will become his heir. It has been years since the promise was made, and so far the key to that promise has yet to be fulfilled. So much of the promise is dependent upon descendants, and so far Abram has none. He presents God with the facts as he sees them, and then God responds. He assures Abram that he will have a son. God made a promise, and God is a promise keeper.

However, God doesn't do the minimum. He promised Abram a nation, and after reassuring him of the promise of a son, he takes him outside and shows him the stars, inviting him to count them, and promises that his descendants will be the same. God goes above and beyond. As Paul said in Ephesians 3, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

God not only keeps His promises, but God keeps them in a way that is truly a blessing. God blesses in ways that are abundantly beyond what we can imagine. That is who He is, and to Him be the glory.

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!

Peace be with you