How many times have you seen a plane that should be flying come to the runway and not take off? Then why do we come to the "runway" and stand still?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 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." - Genesis 15:1-3
What can you see? God, the giver of the vision. Abraham made a declaration at the end of the 14th chapter of Genesis that he would not take anything from the king of Sodom. Abraham did this to declare that his riches and his good fortune would only be attributed to God and no one else.
It was after this that God's word was given to Abraham who is still called Abram. God begins with a word of encouragement for Abram not to be afraid and a promise of being his reward.
Abram's response is what can you give me? In other words, you have withheld from me the one thing I want, an heir. How then, can you be my reward, when I don't feel like I have been rewarded. In fact, I feel cheated out of those things that I want most in my life. I believe this is the heart of Abram as he speaks with God.
He is like the plane that I was on. He had moved from being at the gate. He has moved to the runway, except he isn't taking off. Abram was at the place of wanting more, of moving out of the comfort zone of life. Yet, he finds himself stagnant. He isn't able to move because he can't see clearly the purpose for the delay. He doesn't understand why God has delayed that which he is seeking.
Let's be very honest, haven't you felt that way? Yes we want to be very spiritual and holy, but there are times when we are like the plane sitting on the runway, but not taking off. We are stuck because we cannot understand why God has not rewarded us for our obedience. We know we don't deserve it, but we still feel he has promised to us that if we are faithful he will be faithful to us. Don't you think that Abram wondered those 25 years after his promise, if maybe he misunderstood?
I'm not saying he rejected the vision, but there had to be times he just could not see it as clear. There are times in our waiting on God to move that we don't see the vision so clearly. We need God to remind us. We need God to come to us as he did with Abram and say, do not be afraid. I am your shield and your reward.
We do not have to be afraid of our vision slipping away, because the giver of the vision will shield it until he is ready to bring it to pass. So today, I pray for us that we remember that God is the giver of the vision. Those things that rest on our heart, he can take care of them. He can protect our vision and he can bring it to be. Lord this day, help us to prepare to take off and no longer be caught stagnant because of fear.
