(Be blessed by the DWOD for Sept. 03, 2013 used by permission of the author, Peggy Kennedy)

“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you–guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in you.” (II Timothy 1:14)

“How can I know…?” 

Many times these words of Abraham have been echoed by those following the ways of the Lord and responding to the direction of the Lord with a sincere heart of obedience.

Abraham is too far into his journey with the Lord to deny the Lord’s Presence and purposes.  Yet, he is still too far from the fulfillment to be confident that what the Lord has declared will come to pass.

In Genesis 15 Abram (not yet newly named “Abraham”) has an amazing conversation with his God.  He hears the wonderful commitment of God to be his shield and very great reward. (v. 1).

However, Abram responds from the agonizing reality of his lack and self-disqualification.  The conversation moves out of Abram’s tent to the wide open skies and the Lord restates the divine dimension of what He will do. Even this glorious promise cannot satisfy.  Abram, like many of us, asks “…how can I know?”

Something very supernatural is about to happen, yet the scene is one of unusual divine dynamics.  The Lord instructs Abram to bring him a heifer, goat, ram, dove, and young pigeon.  Abram cuts all but the birds in two and arranges the halves.

From our vantage point of knowing the scripture we see what Abram may not have been privileged to see.  v. 18 summarizes this by saying, “On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram…” The word “covenant” contains the picture of “cutting”.

As the sun is setting the Lord causes a deep sleep to come upon Abram.  He rolls back the curtain of time and projects forward with supreme accuracy to what is ahead for Abram’s descendants.

The experience crescendos as a smoking firepot with a blazing torch passes between the halves.  The Lord had taken the initiative to declare the covenant and His fiery Presence sealed it.  We know from the record of scripture that all of this happened just as the Lord said.

However, there is an element that is essential to Abram and essential to us! After obeying the Lord and presenting the sacrifice to the Lord, but before hearing the full divinely declared intention, birds of prey are actually attracted to his sacrifice.

Their swooping wings and devouring mouths were more than a distraction.  These birds of prey were putting his obedience at risk.  They were seeking to devour what he had brought before the Lord.

They were intending to consume the sacrifice and negate the promise. They wanted more than the morsels of meat.  They were salivating to consume his divinely-purposed future. 

How important to realize that the Lord God in all of His might and power does not come personally nor even send angelic hosts to scatter the birds.  It is Abram who rises up with a tenacity and a perseverance to chase away anything that would devour his destiny! 

The Lord will empower us to do the same! The word of the Lord to Abram contains what is at stake for us:  “…know for certain…”

The promises of God must not be carelessly nor apathetically exposed to the enemy. Even in the midst of waiting, take the initiative to deal with the devourer.  Rise up and chase the birds away!

(“Peggy Kennedy carries a powerful anointing to consistently bring the Word of the Lord in a way that is both powerful and timely…mantled to walk in a heavenly grace that brings people of diverse backgrounds together in unity”—Matt Tapley. To sign up for periodic revelations from Peggy, please visit. www.TwoSilverTrumpets.ca)