An unknown author penned this poem, “Patience is a virtue, Possess it if you can. Found seldom in a woman, Never in a man.”

As Genesis 15 opens, we find Abram troubled by concerns and impatience. As I look in a mirror, I often see the same in my life. Perhaps you do too. God included this chapter in the Bible to help us know what to do when we are troubled by concerns and impatient.

Transition

The preacher, Warren Wiersbe, said that Abram was troubled by three concerns: 1) His Safety, 2) His Heir, and 3) His Land. I think that is a helpful way to divide this chapter as we learn how to react when troubled by concerns.

Abram was Concerned about His Safety, v.1.

  1. It appears that he feared the enemy’s return.
    1. Our emotions are very real and very powerful. Emotional pain can hurt more than physical pain. It can disable us.
    2. Abram was grateful for the victory over the enemies that attacked Sodom, but now his thoughts and emotions began to trouble him. What if the enemies return and wipe us out?
    3. It is not wrong to be prudent and plan for potential problems, but it is wrong to fret about the “what if” possibilities. When we start getting “what if” thoughts, we need to remember the greatness of our God.
  2. God’s Word comforted Abram.
    1. The word of the LORD came unto Abram. This is the first time in the Bible that we read this phrase.
      1. God does not tell us HOW His word came to Abram. It may have been in a dream, a vision, or a voice.
      2. God’s word gives comfort because God is the Sovereign of the universe. He sees the beginning and the end of every problem. He is more than strong enough to help us through the toughest conflict.Psalm 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

        Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

    2. God said to Abram, “Fear not”. This is also the first time we find this phrase in the Bible. If we will truly believe that God makes no mistakes, we have no cause to fear. Turn to 2Kings 6:13-17 and expound the story of God’s protection over Elisha.Psalm 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
    3. God reminded Abram that He was his shield and his exceeding great reward. God would protect him if the enemies returned. God would also reward him far more than the reward he turned down from Bera king of Sodom.We have God’s written Word. It reveals God’s greatness, love, protection, and comfort. Perhaps the main reason that we lack God’s comfort in time of concern is that we do not carefully study the Bible, trust God, and claim His promises.

Abram was Concerned about His Heir, v.2-6.

  1. God had still not given him the promised son.
    1. Abram was 75 years old when he entered Canaan. In Gen 16:3, we learn that he has dwelt 10 years in Canaan. So at this time, he may have been nearly 85 years old. He was still childless, and he began to think that his servant Eliezer would be his heir, v.2-3.
    2. From a human perspective, we can understand Abram’s concerns. He was now an old man and Sarai was nearly 75 herself. He wondered why God was delaying his promise.
    3. God’s ways and His timing are often hard for us to understand. When such concerns begin to worry us, we must remember that God’s ways are always perfect and His timing is never late.Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
  2. God’s Word again comforted Abram.
    1. God directed Abram by His Word, v.4. Abram’s heir would be his own son.
    2. God promised Abram that the descendents of his son would be as countless as the stars, v.5.
    3. Abram believed God, v.6. Again, we see that true righteousness comes from God when a man places his faith in God. That was true in Abram’s day. It is also true today.Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

      It appears that God was waiting in order to show His power. He wanted Abram’s son to be a miracle. If we will wait on the Lord, He will give us what is best for us in the perfect time.

Abram was Concerned about His Land, v.7-18

  1. Abram could not see how he would inherit the land.
    1. God promised Abram several years earlier that he would inherit the land of Canaan.Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
    2. Abram was concerned that nothing had taken place yet to give him any of the land of Canaan, v.8.
    3. Because we cannot see the future and we often do not fully understand the past or present, we become impatient with God. We want God to answer our prayers right now and in our way. That is when we need to have an attitude more like that of the Apostle Paul when he prayed for healing.2 Corinthians 12:9 And he [God] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
  2. Abram found comfort in God’s Word.
    1. God spoke His Word to Abram and told him to offer several animals and birds to the Lord, v.9-10.
    2. Abram fell into a deep sleep while guarding the sacrifice. During his deep sleep, God spoke to Abram, v.13.
      1. His descendents would be afflicted in a strange land for 400 years, v.13.
      2. They would eventually leave that land with great substance, v.14.
      3. Abram would die an old man in peace, v.15.
      4. In the fourth generation, his heirs would inherit the land of Canaan, v.16. Note also that the reason for the delay was that “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” The term “Amorite” is used to describe all the inhabitants of Canaan as it later is in Amos.Amos 2:10 Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.

        Matthew Poole reminds us that “All men’s sins are kept by God as in a book of remembrance, not one of them is lost; and as God exactly observes the number and measure of men’s sins, so he determines within himself how far and how long he will bear with sinful men or nations, and what shall be the period of his patience; and when that comes, their measure is full, and their destruction infallibly comes.”

        That thought ought to be a warning to us and our nation. Just because God is not presently judging sin does not mean that He is not observing and preparing.

    3. That day God made a covenant with Abram, v.18. This covenant or promise was a renewal of the one he already gave Abram (Gen 12:7, 13:15).

Conclusion

When you are troubled by concerns, remember that God is in control of the situation. Psalm 121:4 “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” He is still the same today. The Bible contains many words of comfort, encouragement, promises, and instructions that can calm our concerns if we will find them, read them, and trust them. Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

If you have not repented of your sins and trusted Christ to save you, you cannot enjoy God’s comfort until you do. Do it today.

Song: Burdens Are Lifted – 218
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Troubled by Concerns
6 July 2014 AM – Genesis 15:1-21 – Gen 14 – Scott Childs