Developing Abrahamic Faith Pt.3

Pastor Samuel Tyler

The sixth process of developement of Abraham’s faith is found in Genesis 15 concerning the promise of posterity and land ownership. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; (Hebrews 11:9 NKJV) Many years had passed and the promises made to Abraham and the challenges he face were an apparent contradictions to every promise that was made by the Lord. He was childless and living as a foreigner. He has fought in a war, endured famine and had his wife abducted by a king. Nevertheless, Abraham continued moving forward in faith. In Genesis 15:1-6 he is exhausted and a little fearful so he goes to God in prayer. The Holy Spirit is on him and his greatest concern rises up to God in his prayer. He is still childless. Most would believe it would be retaliation by the countries that he just defeated in war. Retaliation was a concern mentally but his heart was concerned with the promised child. Here is an example of how the word of God under the power of the Holy Spirit seperated the spirit from the soul. Hebrews 4:12 The sword of the spirit got to the very intents of Abraham’s heart. This reveals that the promise of God was deeply implanted in his heart. Therefore, putting aside all moral uncleanness and wicked excess, welcome with humility the implanted message which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21 LEB)The Father assures him that all is well and not to fear. James 1:21 The Lord then instructs him to cut covenant with Him. This covenant reveals to Abraham that God is committed in every way to him. Abraham has learned the fight of faith. He knows that even though God had spoken he had to fight the adversary(birds) to see the sanctioning of the covenant. The Lords speaks to him in darkness explaining to Abraham the plight that his promised seed would endure. He moves forward irregardless to the disturbing news believing that ultimately the Lord’s goodness would prevail. (BBE) Hebrews 6:12 So that you may not be slow in heart, but may take as your example those to whom God has given their heritage, because of their faith and their long waiting. Long waiting patience is now being developed. Approximately 25 years has passed from the giving of the promise to its fulfillment. He and his wife began to try to make the promise happen. They began to see that his physical capabilities began to wane so they took some natural actions believing that God would approve. If he had sought the Lord before proceeding with the plan he would no doubt been halted by the spirit of God. The Lord didn’t interfer with the decision in the same manner as the fall in the Garden of Eden. Abraham fathered the child and his reproductive abilities died. Sarah was already unable to have children. The seventh step in the process of developing Abrahamic faith manifests as the Lord moves to encourage their faith. He was encouraging renewed hope and faith due to both of their inability to produce the promised child. Genesis 17 has the Lord restating his intentions and Abraham realizing for the first time that his first son is not the promised child. Abraham believes it and the Lord helps him with his faith by asking Abraham to circumcise himself, his whole household including the firstborn son. Romans 4:11-24 Thus we see Abraham’s faith expressed by his actions on a natural level of what he believed in his heart. In Genesis 18 Jesus shows up to eat the covenant meal with his friend Abraham. Abraham’s response when He sees the Lord approaching gives us reason to believe that there were other appearances. Abraham knew who was approaching and he forgot about the pain of circumcision, running, and bowing calling Him Adonai.(Heb.136)Strong’s We see the Lord walking through the pieces in Genesis15 and now Abraham’s response by circumcision. The Lord encourages the development of Abraham’s faith telling him that in a years time the child would be born. The child was born as stated by the Lord. The bodies of the child’s parents were both moved upon by the Holy Spirit to enable them to have children. In this article nothing has been said about Sarah but her body was physically renewed making her youthful to give birth, nurse, and raise her son. The development of her faith is another subject that needs to be explored. The eighth step in the process of the developement of Abraham’s faith is the offering up of Isaac his beloved son. In Genesis 15:1-6 Abraham was promised a child in the presence of the Lord. Abraham not being a grandfather, was another contradiction to the promise because he was promised by God that “many” nations would come from his loins. As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. (Genesis 17:4 KJV) Through the many years of learning the character of his Lord he did not hesitate to obey the request. This is the ultimate expression for the development of Abrahamic faith. He believed what we all look forward to, the resurrection of his son. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. (Hebrews 11:17-19 ESV) In developing his faith, Abraham had learned to hear God’s voice. He did not doubt when he heard. At this point in the developement of his faith everything he pursued at the Lord’s direction seem to produce contradictions as he moved forward. Many think that faith is an easy life but the adversary will resist and hinder faith’s outcome at every opportunity. Much had been said about Abraham’s imperfections in his actions but the Lord was looking at his heart intentions. Hebrews 4:12-13 We have endeavored to see Abraham’s faith development from the heavenly prospective. The grace of God working in someone’s life gives them the ability to bring the wishes of heaven to earth. A friend of mine made a statement that as stated in Genesis 1 how the Father had a world out of order. Man was made to bring it back to order. As we have seen, to enter into the process of developing an Abrahamic faith we must first make Jesus the Lord of our lives. He then begins to reveal Himself developing within us an Abrahamic faith that will bring heaven’s desires to earth. The Lord wants to bring order into your life and the lives of others in your world as we walk in Abrahamic faith. In the natural world you will live in what appears to be a contradiction to what God has said to you. The book of Jasher a tremendous source of revelation is provided that will give a deeper insight into the book of Genesis and Abrahamic Faith. Satan being the god of this world will make the contradiction appear insurmountable, but Abrahamic faith conquers the world. Live by faith and the victory of God will be revealed and heaven will rejoice.