Can I Trust God? - Genesis 15:1-21
How can we know that we can trust God? This is a question that almost every believer has asked, and it’s a good question for us to consider. Before trusting God, one must first know that He is trustworthy. Pastor Michael helped us think through this question last Sunday by looking at Genesis 15:1-21. In this passage, we see how God reassures Abram of His promises and establishes a unilateral covenant with Him. Through these events, God presents Himself as One who is faithful and trustworthy. Therefore, we can confidently trust Him.
Have you ever felt uncertain or doubtful about God’s promises? You would not be the first person to feel this way. At the beginning of Genesis 15, we find that Abram experienced some uncertainty about the promises of God. Rather than rebuking Abram for his shaky faith, God reassures Abram of His promises and His intent to keep His promises to Abram. When we feel worried that God will let us down, we should go back to God’s Word. When we return to God’s Word, God reassures us of His promises and character. What God has spoken, He will surely bring to pass; what He has purposed, He will do (Isaiah 46:11). Take heart and trust in Him.
After reassuring Abram of His promises to fulfill His promise to him, the Lord established a unilateral covenant to further demonstrate His intent to fulfill His promises. By unilaterally making this covenant, the Lord communicated to Abram that the fulfillment of His promises would not depend on Abram’s actions. This covenant should remind us of the new covenant God made with us. He promises to save by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. God does not withhold salvation from us until we’ve earned it. He graciously gives salvation to all who are willing to trust Him.
When you are tempted to doubt God’s promises, remember God’s faithfulness and past provision. Remember how He graciously gave His Son for you. He has taken care of our greatest need and we can trust Him to take care of our lesser needs.
Let’s keep Romans 8:32 on our minds today: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
Resources:
Abraham’s Covenant Family –A Devotional by John Sartelle
Are God’s Covenants Conditional or Unconditional? –An Article by Justin Taylor
God Did Not Spare His Own Son –Sermon by John Piper
Reflection Questions:
How is God’s Word reassuring you of His promises?
How does God’s past faithfulness help you trust Him now?
Would you consider memorizing Romans 8:32?