4 steps to seeing God Act

Read Genesis 15.

Genesis 15 is one of the linchpin chapters in understanding the Bible.  This is the first mention of God appearing in a vision.  It contains the first mention of "I am" in reference to God.

God moved here from making a promise to Abram (chapter 12) to sealing it with an everlasting covenant.  In doing so, God also foretold, about 500 years in advance, of the future suffering of the yet-to-be nation.  They will be enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. 

Note that the covenant is not a mutual agreement.  It is not dependent upon Abram or his descendants.  It is from God, for God, and made by Him alone.  It is from Abram's response to God that we learn a timeless Biblical principle.  Verse 6: "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness."  Abram stood righteous before God because of simple faith.  The New Testament quotes and upholds this as a basic tenet on establishing a personal relationship with the LORD. 

Abram asked a great question: "How am I to know that I shall possess it?"  God then gave him clear instructions.

1. Abram sacrificed.  He gave to God what God asked. 

2. Abram obeyed.  He did what God said to do.

3. Abram waited.  This may have been the toughest part.

4. God acted. 

Our human nature wants the four steps above in reverse order.  We want God to prove Himself, answer our prayers, and bless us in some manner first.  Then, we will trust and obey Him.  And, certainly, we do not want to wait. 

Sometimes God calls us to immediate action.  Many times we are called to wait.  If the latter is true, waiting is not inaction, but obedience.  Psalm 27:14-"Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!"  And, watch what He alone can do.