Abide Together: Reflections on Genesis 15

In Genesis 15 the Lord came to Abram and promised him that he would have a son from his own body and that his descendants would be as many as the stars.  Abram believed and it was counted to him as righteousness.  Then the Lord had Abram set up a ceremony that would show God’s guarantee to keeping his promise to Abram.  Normally both parties in a covenant would pass through the pieces of animals together.  However, this time only the Lord passed through the pieces – therefore showing that this was an unconditional covenant.  The Lord would keep His promise whether or not Abram was faithful or not.  Paul reminds Timothy of this aspect of God’s character when he writes, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).”  Lord, thank you for Your faithfulness, even when my faith is weak or fails.  May I live by faith in Your Son who loved me and gave Himself for me.

– Bryan McKenzie