There's a little phrase in Scripture that says Abraham kept the vultures off the slaughtered animals he was offering to God. Now before I talk about the buzzards, I have to share a nifty piece of background information. Abraham lived in a culture in which people validated covenants with the sacrifice of animals and a meal. Covenants usually involved both a superior and an inferior party. During the covenant ceremony, the superior party offered his protection and the inferior party vowed to pay taxes, fight in wars, and generally fulfill a long list of obligations. Abraham and God were making a similar kind of covenant. God had promised Abraham that he'd have innumerable descendants, and Abraham wanted a sign. God told him to get the animals ready for the covenant ceremony. Once Abraham had things in place, the buzzards showed up. But Abraham didn't let the vultures peck away what he'd prepared. I imagine as Abraham got the animals ready and vigilantly swatted at buzzards, he wondered what God was going to expect of him, after all, he was the inferior party in the covenant. God had just promised "I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward,"and He'd promised to bless Abraham with biological descendants. God had more than fulfilled the superior party's obligation. Abraham was waiting to find out his responsibilities and to participate in the ceremony that ratified the agreement. And God showed up. Instead of giving Abraham a list of conditions to meet and requiring him to walk between the sacrificed animals as a sign he'd fulfill the list of obligations or die like the animals, God made requirements of Himself, and He walked among the animal pieces. His words promised descendants and deliverance of those descendants, and His actions declared that He'd die before He'd neglect His promise to Abraham. I'm sure Abraham was glad he kept the buzzards away from the sacrifice!
We, too, have promises from God, promises which God has ratified through the blood of Jesus. The buzzards of discouragement, doubt, and fear often come to eat away our place of assurance, the faith that says, "I'm waiting on you to come through, Lord." Our minds become plagued with perceived obligations we feel sure we've neglected. But if we will continue to believe and fight off the things that try to rob our faith, God will show up. He'll remind us of His promises, assure us of His word, and accept full responsibility of the outcome.
Tip/Tidbit: I don't know about you, but my faith often feels like buzzard bait. About the time I am filled with confidence in God's word, some circumstance will swoop down on my faith. It's talons dig in and try to rip away what I know God has spoken. I have a choice. I can curl up in discouragement, or I can run like a screaming banshee and defend what I know is true. When something tries to rob you of your faith, you can feel at peace knowing the Promise Keeper is near, ready to seal the agreement He made with you.
We, too, have promises from God, promises which God has ratified through the blood of Jesus. The buzzards of discouragement, doubt, and fear often come to eat away our place of assurance, the faith that says, "I'm waiting on you to come through, Lord." Our minds become plagued with perceived obligations we feel sure we've neglected. But if we will continue to believe and fight off the things that try to rob our faith, God will show up. He'll remind us of His promises, assure us of His word, and accept full responsibility of the outcome.
Tip/Tidbit: I don't know about you, but my faith often feels like buzzard bait. About the time I am filled with confidence in God's word, some circumstance will swoop down on my faith. It's talons dig in and try to rip away what I know God has spoken. I have a choice. I can curl up in discouragement, or I can run like a screaming banshee and defend what I know is true. When something tries to rob you of your faith, you can feel at peace knowing the Promise Keeper is near, ready to seal the agreement He made with you.
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