In Genesis 15:1, God tells Abram, “Do not be afraid…I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
Today, I believe the Lord wants to encourage us with this message.
God reminds us that He is present in our moments of contradiction, just as He was with Abram (Abraham). Even when our dreams and prophecies seem far from reality—and all we see are our limits, He says:
“Bring that limitation to Me and I will turn it into a testimony of faith.”
4 Ways God Turns Your Limitation into a Testimony of Faith
1. He Initiates a New Encounter
When God is about to move, He often shows up unexpectedly.
And then, He draws our attention to an aspect of His nature or ability—it may even be one we have never considered deeply before.
- When this happens, we see Him in a new light, as the answer to our need!
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” The word translated “great”, (raba, Strong’s H7235)—means to become numerous, multiply, and increase.
Paul echoes this, in a verse we know well:
- “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph 3:20 NKJV)
So, this word wasn’t just for Abram [1]—it applies to you and me!
It expresses the nature of God, and who He wants to be for us: our breakthrough, strength, and ultimate reward.
2. God Begins a Conversation With You
In response, Abram questions the Lord:
“O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son?” (Gen 15:2, NLT)
It’s interesting (and very relatable) that Abram doesn’t immediately respond with enthusiasm.
There’s no “hallelujah” or “amen”!
Instead, he expresses his grievance.
And no wonder.
God promised earlier that Abram would become a great nation—and that his descendants would be innumerable. (Gen 12:2, 16).
- But so far, Abram has not seen even one.
The Lord wants you to know there is power in your honest questions, and that He desires to answer them.
Your objections are not a denial of faith, but rather, they are a step towards it.
Now, the Lord responds to Abram,
“No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” (Gen 15:4, NLT)
Prophetic Vision of a Snow Globe
While praying for someone recently, I saw their life experiences and dreams poured out before the Lord, in a gesture of surrender. It was like emptying a backpack of all they had carried.
Then, I saw Jesus reach into this pile and pull out a snow globe. That’s a small glass ornament, such as you see at Christmas—you shake them, and tiny pieces of glitter rush around the inside.
It appeared to be a “souvenir” from the past that was tucked away. It may have represented a dream once held—a future they desired.
And the Lord shook it and as He did, the glittery substance was stirred up.
Suddenly, that globe’s glass broke, and its abundance exploded into reality.
And out into the atmosphere.
The Shaking and the Glory
I believe this picture is for many of us! The Lord wants us to know abundance is on the inside of us.
And even though it has been contained, the potential is there.
It’s a principle in God:
First comes the shaking and then comes the glory! So if you have experienced instability lately, be encouraged.
Remember what Jesus said, “…pressed down, shaken together, running over” (Luke 6:38)
There’s a Divine order—in the giving, the pressing, the shaking, and the overflow.
3. God Initiates a New Vision
“Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.”
And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” (Gen 15:5)
Like Abram, some of us may have a legacy problem.
We want to leave our mark, our call is to influence, but we face challenges, obstacles, and impossibilities.
We have a dream for our family.
- God-given dreams of influence, prayers
- Prayer requests we are awaiting an answer for
He wants us to see as He does—beyond our limits, a vision of an abundant life.
But more than that—to see our abundant God.
One of our pastors shared this recently:
“God wants to take us outside the walls of our limitations, to perceive His abundance.” [2]
And it struck me:
God took Abram outside of the tent.
4. He Illuminates Your Understanding
And he [Abram] believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Gen 15:1-6, NKJV)
Abram heard, saw, and believed.
And that faith was so valuable that God accounted it—calculated, and reckoned it—for righteousness. (Strong’s H2803)
Remember God said,
“I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
The Hebrew word translated “reward” (H7939) means “payment of contract, wages, salary, compensation, benefit, hire.”
Now as you have believed, the Lord says, I have calculated it up:
- Nothing is left owing
- And all that benefit, all of My abundance that you see, is now yours. [3]
In Christ, there is no barrier, and the abundance of God, that is in God, flows freely to us. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19, NKJV)
The Master Key to Faith
The writer to the Hebrews later wrote:
“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11, NKJV
How did the miracle happen?
Because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
This is the key to faith!
His response to our questions is not, “Here is your breakthrough.”
But rather, “Behold me, and gaze upon My ability. I AM your breakthrough and all you need. See Me, I am your reward.”
Eventually, we realize that faith comes—not in an event or outcome
But in a Person.
In our abundant God and loving Father.
Notes
[1] God renamed Abram “Abraham” in Genesis 17:5
[2] Dr. Clayton Coombs, Planetshakers, March 17th, 2024
[3] Later, Paul explains salvation from this passage in his letter to the Romans: (Romans 4:3-5) i.e., when we believe in Christ, we have a right standing with God and nothing between us.
Leave a Comment
Have you been encouraged by this message about God turning our limitations into a testimony? Which insights speak most to you (this has especially impacted me in the light of the recent word about abundance) To leave a comment or prayer request use the comments box below.
Related Posts:
Abundance: How to Live an Abundant Life With God
How to Pray with Greater Faith: The Master Key
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Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
This is so amazing and outstanding for me, it’s come at my time of need.
Please if possible, do this daily for me.
More grace
Amen, I’m praying with you now, Emmanuel
God is turning your limitation into a testimony of faith
Hi Helen
Thank you sooo much. My wife and I have just been talking tonight about how an illness in my life have brought much limitation and doubt of fulfilling my calling.Thank you for this encouraging message!!!
I lately realised that Lord knew about my illness and limitation, but still called me in the prophetic and used me in unusual, unexpected ways, from time to time
I have also recently realised that His calling and gifting is unrepentant and that He wants me to be ready and available to do what He tells me to do, despite my bodily limitations. Anyway thank you for your timely word.
Yes so true, Derek and we see it again and again in Scripture
God bless you both and praying for your healing release, and accelerated recuperation in Jesus’ Name
Praying in agreement, Helen, for Derek’s healing release and accelerated recuperation. I, please, likewise need prayer since on that same note after years of limping I had bilateral total hip replacement upon longing for greater mobility, ROM, and strength. Then eight months into post op GI issues cropped up. The GI obstacle or limitation has caused me to ask WHY. After reading today’s prophecy I realize it’s ALL good though as I ALLOW God to work within me and use this for a testimony of faith and HIS glory in the end. Thank you for your Godly service !!!
thank you Holly, we’re agreeing in prayer for your accelerated healing as well, may you rejoice under the Open Heaven
(wow that just occurred to me. Under the stars = symbolic open Heaven)
This is always timely, I look forward daily to receiving these encouraging words from you. Thank you so much, I trust God to turn every limitation my family and I are facing presently to testimony in the name of Jesus.
God bless you
Praying for you and your family now, God has appointed you for signs and wonders
This is Gold Helen. Thank you Thank you!!!!
This is so encouraging. I’ve got a health issue and I’m believing, and declaring for complete healing and restoration of health. Indeed, He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ever ask or imagine. Thank you Helen!
yes amen to that, Charmayne,
“Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily” (Isaiah 58:8)
Your blogs always have a very timely messages for me, Helen. This passage from Hebrews is very special to me as I often feel time is running out and I’m always running into obtacles, which in turn make me feel very discouraged. Thanks for the reminder of God’s abundance.
I’m so glad to hear that, Melix,
yes He is faithful
Amen!!! God bless you woman of God in Jesus name.
and you also Blessing