The Supremacy of Who God Is

"After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."

Genesis 15:1

What God was for Abraham He will be for all those who place their faith in Him.  I love that when God made promises to Abram it was not about what He would do for him, but who He would be for him.  There is a tremendous difference between the two.  God did not just shield Abram from evil or enemies but was his shield; He did not grant Abram rewards which could be bought or measured with silver or gold but He was Abram's exceedingly great reward.  God does not change, and God remained a permanent and eternal shield and great reward even after his body was laid to rest.  Abraham's soul still enjoys the awesome characteristics of our God, for He is not the God of the dead but the living.

This morning I read the words of David in Psalm 43:3-4, "Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. ⁴ Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God."  See how David described His great God:  "God my exceeding joy."  God did many things which brought David joy like giving him victory over his enemies, establishing him as king, and providing peace on every side.  Yet David did not praise God because of the joy brought to him by God but because God was his exceeding joy.  God Himself exceeded all other passing joys that quickly fade, the earthly delights which are forgotten out of mind.

Jesus Christ revealed Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the light of the world that leads us to perfect peace and unfailing love because He personifies these attributes perfectly.  Jesus gave His own life so we might have eternal life through faith in Him.  He is and will ever be our shield and exceedingly great reward not because of what He has done, but because of who He is and all He does.  All we need is found in our Saviour who is ever good and His mercy endures forever.  Let us praise our God who is our exceeding joy!