Inheriting the Word

The first time the word 'word' appears in the New King James version of the Bible is in Genesis 15:1.

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

Of course, we get a chance to do the old head smack, for we should have known that the first time the word arrives it would have to answer one of our most common needs - Do not be afraid. What a privilege for Abram to be addressed by God, but how is it that we always seem to be afraid? That's no question; we know quite well the story of Adam hiding in the shrubs after eating the forbidden fruit. Throughout the Word, when the word of God arrives it usually begins with a command and a reassurance. The command is to not be afraid and the reassurance is that there is no need to be afraid. God told Abram, "I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."

Not only are we not to fear because of God's presence, we are also not to fear God's presence. He is our shield and our reward. We do not labor for nothing because God is our exceedingly great reward. But this promise was made just to Abram, not you and me. Ah, hmmm, and only Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit so we don't inherit sin, and the Law came only to Moses and a few of his buddies down below building some sort of gold barnyard animal, and Jesus came first to the Jews, and surely that Revelation thing didn't mean me, did it?

Praise God that after we inherited the original sin just by being born in this world, we got the chance to inherit all the blessings by being reborn in Christ. We inherit God's blessing to Abram and the righteousness of Christ by our rebirth in His family. The Revelation given to John was given to you and me too, and of course, that place Jesus has gone to prepare for us.

Have a great weekend this Labor Day!

Bucky