Trusting the Promise

The Waiting Game

Have you ever had to wait on God?

Maybe you’ve been praying for something—healing, direction, provision—but nothing’s changed. You’re trying to trust, but doubt is creeping in.

Abram knew that feeling.

In Genesis 12, God promised him descendants.

In Genesis 15, years have passed—and he’s still childless.

He’s probably wondering, "Did I misunderstand God? Did I mess up? Is He even listening?"

Sound familiar?

Genesis 15 isn’t just about Abram. It’s about us. It’s about how we trust God when He seems silent, and how God remains faithful, even when we doubt.

Today, we’ll walk through this passage using the SOAP method:

Scripture – What does the text say?

Observation – What stands out? What’s weird? What questions arise?

Application – How does this apply to us?

Prayer – Because knowing isn’t enough—we need to respond.

SCRIPTURE –

Genesis 15:1–21 LEB

After these things the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying: “Do not be afraid, Abram; I am your shield, and your reward shall be very great.” Then Abram said, “O Yahweh, my Lord, what will you give me? I continue to be childless, and my heir is Eliezer of Damascus.” And Abram said, “Look, you have not given me a descendant, and here, a member of my household is my heir.” And behold, the word of Yahweh came to him saying, “This person will not be your heir, but your own son will be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward the heavens and count the stars if you are able to count them.” And he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed in Yahweh, and he reckoned it to him as righteousness. And he said to him, “I am Yahweh, who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give this land to you, to possess it.” And he said, “O Yahweh God, how shall I know that I will possess it?” And he said to him, “Take for me a three-year-old heifer, and a three-year-old female goat, and a three-year-old ram, and a turtledove and a young pigeon.” And he took for him all these and cut them in pieces down the middle. And he put each piece opposite the other, but the birds he did not cut. And the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. And it happened, as the sun went down, then a deep sleep fell upon Abram and, behold, a great terrifying darkness fell upon him. And he said to Abram, “You must surely know that your descendants shall be as aliens in a land not their own. And they shall serve them and they shall oppress them four hundred years. And also the nation that they serve I will judge. Then afterward they shall go out with great possessions. And as for you, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And the fourth generation shall return here, for the guilt of the Amorites is not yet complete.” And after the sun had gone down and it was dusk, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between those half pieces. On that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram saying, “To your offspring I will give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates river, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

Here’s what happens:

God appears to Abram in a vision and says, "Fear not, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."

Abram is brutally honest: "What reward? I don’t even have a son!"

God takes him outside, tells him to count the stars, and promises, "So shall your offspring be."

Abram believes—and God credits it to him as righteousness.

Then, things get weird:

God tells Abram to cut animals in half.

A deep sleep falls on Abram, and darkness covers him.

A smoking fire pot and a flaming torch pass between the pieces.

God makes an unbreakable covenant.

OBSERVATION – What Stands Out?

Now, I want to hear from you.

👉 What in this passage seems odd, confusing, or surprising to you?

(Take a few responses. If the audience is quiet, ask the following questions.)

Why does God start by telling Abram not to be afraid? Was he scared?

Why does Abram doubt God? Didn’t he already receive the promise?

What’s with the cutting animals in half? That’s… not normal.

What’s up with the smoking fire pot and flaming torch?

Great thoughts! Now, let’s break these down.

Why Does God Say, "Fear Not"?

God tells Abram in Genesis 15:1: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."

But was Abram afraid?

He had just won a battle (Genesis 14).

He wasn’t a coward. But even strong people fear the unknown.

Maybe he was afraid that he misunderstood God's plan.

Have you ever been afraid that you messed up God's plan for your life?

👉 Here’s the truth: God’s faithfulness does not depend on your perfection—it depends on His character.

Why Does Abram Doubt?

Abram had already heard God’s promise. But years had passed.

Q: Have you ever prayed and waited… and waited?

You prayed for healing—but the sickness is still there.

You asked for direction—but you feel lost.

You wanted God to fix your family—but it’s still broken.

Abram is feeling that same tension: "God, I’ve followed You, but I still don’t see it!"

And yet, Genesis 15:6 says: "And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness."

👉 Faith isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting the One who does.

What’s with the Animal Sacrifice?

Alright, this part is bizarre.

Q: Why do you think God tells Abram to cut animals in half?

(Pause for responses.)

In the ancient world, this was a legal contract.

Two people making a covenant would:

Cut animals in half.

Walk between the pieces.

Say, "If I break this, let me be like these animals."

But here’s the twist: Abram never walks through.

👉 Only God (symbolized by the fire pot and torch) passes through.

Why?

Because God is saying: "This covenant does not depend on you. I alone will fulfill it."

This is grace. God knew Abram—and all of us—would fail. But He binds Himself to His promise anyway.

APPLICATION

THE GOSPEL – GOD IS OUR SHIELD

God told Abram, "I am your shield." But what does a shield do?

A shield protects you from the greatest danger.

And the greatest danger is not just hard times, enemies, or struggles. The greatest danger is sin itself.

Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death."

Sin separates us from God. It brings judgment. It’s a debt we can’t pay.

But God did something radical. He became our shield.

Just like God alone walked through the covenant in Genesis 15,

Just like He took full responsibility for the promise,

Jesus took full responsibility for our sin.

When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment we deserved. He absorbed God’s wrath in our place. He became our shield against the judgment of sin.

And just like God promised Abram a great reward, Jesus didn’t stay dead—He rose again, offering us the greatest reward: new life with Him.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

Maybe you’ve messed up. Maybe you feel like you’re too far gone. Maybe you think, "There’s no way God could forgive me."

But here’s the truth:

When we believe in Jesus, we are counted righteous—no matter what we’ve done or what we might do.

Just like Abram, we don’t earn God’s favor by our performance. We receive it by faith.

So What Do You Do?

Believe. That’s it.

Believe that Jesus is your shield.

Believe that His death covers your sin.

Believe that His resurrection gives you new life.

And just like with Abram, God’s promise to you is secure.

Even when you doubt, even when you struggle, even when you fail—He will hold true.

PRAYER – RESPOND TO GOD'S PROMISE

"Father, thank You for being our shield. Thank You for taking full responsibility for our salvation. We know we fall short, but You are faithful. Help us trust in Jesus alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen."