Happy New Year Friend!
Welcome to your year of fulfilment and super-abundance.
As you may know, it is my custom to start every new year from the book of Genesis – the book that records the beginning of everything. So our text today is from Genesis 15.
- After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
- But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”
- And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
- Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.”
- He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
The scripture opens up with the phrase ‘after this’ indicating a time lapse, periodic shift or new season. And with the new season came a new word from the Lord! Pay attention to the mode of communication – through vision.
Vision is a clear mental picture of a desirable future. Vision usually translates into mission which is one’s life ambition and greatest expectation. Vision speaks of purpose and destiny. Friend, God will speak to you through visions, signs, and languages you’ll understand. Your eyes will be opened to see things that will change the way you perceive everything. You’ll get a new perspective on that family, house, job, health, financial or RuBo (Ruth-Boaz) issue. Holla a praise if you believe it
Abram saw something he could not un-see. Something no one could talk him out of, all because God spoke. That’s all you need in this new year friend – God, a word … a fresh vision!
If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. Proverbs 29:18
Some time may have passed but the appointed time came. You may be wondering why God didn’t come through last or the year before that, and beyond. That’s because those years had to pass for this to come, and for God to impart a new vision to you through his word. Your time has come! Favour has found you and hand-picked you among many. Watch what God did, before he began saying anything. He called Abram by name. Oh what joy that is – to be called by God! He knows your name and your name is being called, Friend!
…… I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1b
God’s word to Abram was in 3 parts.
- Do not fear – I understand what you’ve just been through is terrifying, (four kings against one prince of God) but keep your focus on me. Don’t you get shaky or weak in faith. Keep believing!
- I am your shield – in other words, I’ve got your back. I can and will protect you against your enemies.
- Your reward shall be very great – I can give you over and above what ‘kings’ may promise. I am a faithful rewarder and because you have been loyal and trustworthy, I will repay you!
Friend, it is pay day! That’s enough to get me spinning, I don’t know about you. Abram’s response to God is profound because he simply zoned in on his need without beating about the bush. God, since you can do all this, he said “what could You possibly give to me that would make that much of a difference in my life? After all, I am still childless, and Eliezer of Damascus stands to inherit all I own. Since You have not given me the gift of children, my only heir will be one of the servants born in my household.”
Doesn’t that sound like most of us? I want you to note his approach because I believe it’s key. Often times it’s not so much so what we say; rather, how we say them determine our outcomes. Abram used no sarcasm, dysphemism or verbosity nor did he murmur or complain, rather he presented strong and valid reasons before God.
“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And when you do ask he doesn’t give it to you, for you ask in quite the wrong spirit. Isaiah 41:21, James 4: 2b-3a
What is that thing you need God to do for you? Can I encourage you to present your case and to ask in the right spirit? Scripture records the word of the Lord came a second time in response to Abram’s petition. Friend, you will get an answer. God will respond.
I love the fact that God didn’t just stop at speaking, he progressed onto taking Abram outside to show him something. Sometimes, all God needs to do is to bring you out so you can see. Selah! A change of position can change your perception which will change your tradition and bring about new actions. When you get to this stage, you already have a new orientation. Friend, God will show you something!
When God gave Abram the directives to look up to the sky and count the stars, he was getting him to take his eyes off limitations by giving him a limitless view. Abram went from mentioning one servant to counting stars.
You probably have been counting pennies, God’s giving you thousands, millions, billions and some more to count. This is an easy thing for him. No, your servant will not be your heir. Your present condition is undergoing revision. Your troubles won’t last always. ‘This’ too shall pass!
For Abram, ‘this’ was the battle of the kings, Lot’s captivity and the recovery. Perhaps your ‘this’ includes some battles and losses in 2014 which you probably haven’t fully recovered from; but after ‘this’ or ‘that’ even, comes now – 2015 when God is restructuring things. Instead of battles, you will have peace and in place of all your losses, you will have surplus.
Double honour is your portion! You will have joy unlimited. Your vats will overflow. There shall be super-abundance. God has opened up the floodgates of heaven and emptied on you blessings without measure. Too many to count!
You will receive a double measure of wealth instead of your shame. You will sing about your wealth instead of being disgraced. That is why you will have a double measure of wealth in your land. You will have everlasting joy. Isaiah 61:7