I Am Your Shield
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” (Genesis 15:1).
After Abraham’s rescue of Lot and the citizens of Sodom, he was met by Melchizedek. He came with bread and wine to refresh Abraham and his exhausted helpers. It was at this point also that Abraham refused rewards offered by the worldly and immoral king of Sodom, (Genesis 14:18, 23).
As Abraham walked before God he learned tremendous truths about God’s Person and attributes, deepening his faith and appreciation.
- The first truth Abraham learned was that God is the God of glory—a description of His Person (Acts 7:2)—the Self-existent One, contrasted with powerless idols. Knowing this he willingly obeyed by leaving idolatrous Ur.
- The Most High God—His supreme Position, Possessor of heaven and earth, delivering Abraham from superior enemies (Genesis 14:18-20, 22).
- The Shield and Great Reward—Protector, Preserver and Presenter of rewards (Genesis 15:1).
- After thirteen silent disapproving years from the birth of Ishmael, God appeared again to Abraham as God Almighty (El Shaddai), the Plentiful, the One whose plans need no help from puny man (Genesis 17:1).
- In pleading for the righteous in Sodom before its destruction Abraham acknowledged God as the Judge of all the earth—His great power (Genesis 18:25).
- God continued to reveal Himself as the Everlasting God (El Olam), whose Presence spans the past, present, future, and throughout eternity (Genesis 21:33).
- Finally to crown it all, He is the Provider of redemption, sparing Isaac by giving the ram as Isaac’s substitute (Genesis 22:1-14).
- In full appreciation of God, Abraham called Him “The LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth” (Genesis 24:3), Who provided a bride for the son of promise. God in grace called Abraham “His friend.”
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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