Lord God, What Can You Give Me?

Do you ever have times where confusion is far more real than clarity?  Has God given you a word in the past that seems impossible to fulfill based on current realities?  If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, it should not be hard to relate to Abram.  ​

Meditation
Genesis 15:1-3--After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great. But Abram said, “Lord God, what can You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Abram continued, “Look, You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.”
 
In Genesis 12:1-3 God called Abram and promised him that He would make him into a significant nation, bless him, make his name great and that he would be a blessing.  Later He appeared to Abram in a vision (15:1) and reminded him that a great future was in store.  But Abram looked at his age and Sarah’s age and honestly questioned how a nation could arise from him.  So he asked a legitimate question: “Lord God, what can You give me, since I am childless?”  

God let Abram know it would not be his slave that became his heir but rather a child from his own seed.  Then He inspired Abram by having him look at the sky and count the stars if he was able.  “Your offspring will be that numerous” (vs 5). “Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness” (vs 6).  What began for Abram as confusion ended in faith.

God is not put off by our confusion.  Nor is it unusual that we would not understand what He is doing (or not doing).  It is important that we are honest with our Father when we don’t understand His plan.   Thinking about Abram’s honest prayer to God, what question arises from your heart regarding anything in your life right now that seems uncertain or confusing?   You may not get an immediate answer as Abram did, but be encouraged that God’s timing is perfect.  Knowing He loves you, do you have the freedom to ask Him, “Lord God, what can You give me?”  

The Chinese have a proverb that says, “He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.”  Fortunately, we are not fools coming before God with our heartfelt questions.  But the Chinese do have a point.  Not questioning God when we are befuddled with doubt does us no good.  So be encouraged and ask!    
 
Inspiration
Asking means that you have come into the relationship of a child of God, and you now realise, with moral appreciation and spiritual understanding, that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17).—Oswald Chambers in As He Walked 

©2020 Daniel York ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)