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Genesis 15:1–6 ‘Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.’ (v6)

What an extraordinary conversation! God speaks with Abram (later Abraham) and tells him that his offspring will be great in number.

And yet this elderly man of God has no child – yet. There’s a vision, and a promise that follows a heartfelt entreaty; essentially, Abram questions God about the blessing God wants to bestow, because he has no progeny, a blessing that seems to have been withheld (v3).

But has it? Has this apparent denial been for a purpose? For next, we see that God promises Abram that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the heavens! It seems unlikely, to say the least.

But look how Abram responds: with great faith, believing the Lord. Taking God at His word. And God responds by crediting it to the man ‘as righteousness’.

Believing without seeing is a big ask! And yet, we see here the promise of a much greater story.

To believe God is to experience His grace, His free, unearned favour. Favour which rests in nothing we have done, but rather, that we just believe the One who has promised it.

We believe Jesus when He says He is the only way to God (John 14:6). We can do nothing to save ourselves; it is the gift of Another.

Christ’s righteousness is credited to us when we trust in Him (1 Cor. 1:30). We cannot earn our salvation. Just as with Abram, we need to take God at His word.

Are you a part of this greater story of grace? Have you believed, and it has been credited to you as righteousness?

prayer-to-make-icon

A Prayer To Make:
‘Father, thank You so much for sending Jesus to save me. I know it is Your gift to me, nothing I can earn. Help me to trust You more, every day. Amen.’

An Action To Take:
Do you believe that the righteousness of Christ has been credited to you, as you have believed in Him? If so, praise Him now! If you doubt, why not ask Him about it?

Scripture To Consider:
Ps. 51:1–19; Isa. 64:4–7; John 20:24–29; 1 John 3:1–10

Micha Jazz is Director of Resources at Waverley Abbey, UK.