by Charles Sibthorpe
We have just returned from a weekend retreat with Gbile Akanni from Nigeria. His final message on Sunday morning was extremely challenging. He read from Genesis 15 where God is speaking to Abram, “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, “O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless….”
Here God is offering “Himself” to Abram, who is unable to receive because of his childlessness. His thinking and the entire focus of his life is centred on the fact that he and Sarah have no children. He is consumed with “things” when God is wanting to give him something far greater. The process of getting “Isaac” spanned 25 years, led to poor decisions and great heartache. What would have happened if Abram had accepted the offer God was making? The word given was, “I am your shield, your very great reward.” God was saying, “I want to give you myself, I know you have needs, but if you have me you have everything.” But all Abram could think of were “things”
What about us? Are we so focussed on “things” that we cannot receive “Him”? It may be healing. Perhaps we are going through great difficulties in our family. We may be facing great financial need. What is dominating your thoughts at this time?
I wonder what would have happened had Abram receive the word from God. Would he have had to wait so long for God's promise to be fulfilled? Would there have been so much heartache? I don’t think so.
It says in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
When our hearts are set on seeking “Him” we will discover that the “things” we so desire are given so much more readily and spontaneously.
Today, turn your eyes to “Him” and watch him deal with the “things”
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