23 August Revd Andy Chislett-McDonald

​Covenant. Scripture, reflection and prayer.

Genesis 15:1-6 "After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness."
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Reflection. This a foundational, key moment in Scripture. This is God's covenant with Abram (the name change to Abraham comes later in the story). Abram has his doubts about the long term, generational nature of the covenant, "I continue childless..." Abram is shown the stars.

Whilst on holiday, I have been challenged about faith and trust. In the midst of resting came the devastating news of the shootings here in Plymouth. Towards the end of the break came the news of Afghanistan. Locally and internationally it felt like "hell in a hand cart" time. And, of course, we did not get to France - that pales against the other news, doesn't it! Anyway, I was asked whether events like the shootings cause me to question my faith. My answer was an unequivocal 'yes.' I am a human being not a robot. And yet, as an act of faith and will there is a deeper answer. That deep answer is to do with where we find God. Do we find God in the midst of tragedy? Is our faith limited to the good times?

God made a covenant with Abram. In Jesus, God makes a new covenant with us. Abram believed and trusted in God and his words and the LORD reckoned it to Abram as righteousness. Where are we today? Do we trust and believe? Yes, and it is credited to us as righteousness.

Will we let God lead us outside the tent of our comfort zone and show us the stars? Will we let God give us a similar vision of an inheritance of descendants in Jesus, as we share with others the good news; as we see others being involved in the covenant.

Prayer. Loving God, Lord Jesus, we worship you. Thank you that we are made righteous. Amen.