Genesis 15:18-21

REFLECTIONS

LET the visions of God with Abram have this effect upon all the true seed of Abram, earnestly to desire and as highly to prize, all the gracious manifestations of the divine love. May we esteem all the ordinances and means of grace, which tend to open a channel of communication between God and our souls. But yet more affectionately covet communion with the God of ordinances. Blessed Jesus! I would say, both for myself and for the Reader, Oh! do thou manifest thyself unto me otherwise than thou dost unto the world! May I know that thou art my portion, my shield, and my exceeding great reward.

Reader! behold the Patriarch Abram, and learn in his history the sweetness of exercised faith. Amidst all those precious promises of a faithful God, yet how long, how seemingly tedious and trying, the dispensation was appointed to be to his seed, before the fulfillment. Oh! for faith, that against hope, you and I may believe in hope; and in all our trials, may we run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. And as the patriarch considered himself as sojourning in a strange country, and was looking beyond the tabernacles which he inhabited, for a city which had foundations, so may we never lose sight of that most certain truth, that here we have no continuing city, but may we be seeking one to come. And oh! thou Almighty giver of faith, increase our faith, and enable us to walk by faith, and not by sight, until we realize the divine presence in all the glories of eternity, and receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls.