Genesis 15:7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? 9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
We learn a lot from these verses. Paul quoted verse 6 in Romans 4. The people needed to get sincere with their faith. God had given Abraham a promise and is here re-stating it. While we were yet in our sins a Savior was provided. He was there but we didn’t know him. Until we accept him, we are still in our sins.
At this time there were not Jews and Gentiles. Everyone was just a sinner. God called Abraham and his wife out to leave Ur of the Chaldees behind and go to a new land. He would be free of the trappings of life in Ur; free in a land that he could walk in and say “it’s mine.” Aren’t you glad God called you out of sin and that you turned your life over to him! You’re on the way to a better land. In a glorified body we’ll call heaven home.
Lot went with Abraham and soon traded that life to live in Sodom. The kings of the area took Lot prisoner and Abraham and his fighting servants went after him. Going home he went through Salem and was blessed by the priest there. Then the King of Sodom wanted all the strong men of Abraham to take away his strength. Abraham promised that he’d not take anything from the king but neither would he give him anything. A darker king named Satan wants to make the promise of God of no effect in your life. God asked all of us a sacrifice by giving ourselves to him. Whatever you surrender to God you have gotten back. The boy with the loaves and fish ate more than he gave. What God gives is far greater than what Satan offers. Never make a deal with the devil. God spoke to Abraham again ensuring him that he was still his reward; he was still his shield. If you fight the good fight of faith, God will be your shield.
Abraham still had no child. He and Sara were old and childless. He thought of making a servant his heir but God said no. He had plans for Abraham. God told him not to worry about his enemies. God would drive them out and the land would be his. The devil is taking over but there is one bit of property he doesn’t need to get: YOU! They can take what you have. They can take your outward freedom. They can’t take your soul. So chase away those buzzards. Abraham believed God. He asked how he would know how it would happen. The enemies were trying to take it and he asked how to work it out. How do we face the world? We can believe God. Make sure the world keeps its filthy hands off your conduct and faith. God showed Abraham what to do. Verse 9 says Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. Abraham could have said this is a lot to do. Does God ask too much of us? No. Don’t think of what you’re missing. What does the Lord require? He wants us to live right and just. Abraham owned thousands of animals and God only asked for a few. That’l like tithing. God asks for a little leaving us with the rest. Those who tithe know that God always provides. Don’t shortchange the Lord. He’s blessed us and has never asked too much of us.
Abraham prepared the animals and laid them out. Have you laid it all out to the Lord? Look what happened. The buzzards saw all the meat and began to go after it. The devil wants what you’ve given to God. Let’s use what God has given us to beat the buzzards away. Don’t look at how big a buzzard is. None of us is a match for it. The Word of God is in our hand. Abraham took the staff in his hand and drove them away. The Bible says to resist the devil and he will flee from us. Have enough fortitude to trust the Lord. Keep serving the Lord no matter how many buzzards are flying around. We have the Word. Stand fast and be unmovable. Resist the devil; he will depart for a season. The time will come when the buzzards won’t come back. Won’t it be good to wake up one morning, not to evil, but to see people praising God. Instead of buzzards we will see Jesus. It’s worth living for the Lord. Guard it with your life. Keep swinging the stick. The time will come when God will swoop down and take us out.
Are there birds that need to be driven away? Come to God. He’ll be there.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 