Chapel Recap: A Faith Toward a Great Hope!

Today in chapel, SGA Chaplain Ethan Foster continued his series, “God’s Glory Going Global,” by walking through Genesis 15, a foundational moment in God’s covenant with Abram.

Foster explained that Genesis 15 contains two major covenant promises from God. First, the promise of a people (vv. 1–6): God assured Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, a promise that Abram received in faith. Second, the promise of a land (vv. 7–21): God sealed His covenant with a traditional ceremony, declaring that Abram’s descendants would one day inherit the land.

Foster then explored the nature of Abram’s faith. Abram’s trust in God was directed toward his Seed — the promised offspring through whom God would bless the nations. Pointing to Galatians 3:16, Foster reminded us that Abram’s Seed is Christ. “It is through Christ that we take righteousness through faith,” he said. “You are counted as righteous because of what Jesus has done for you.”

From here, Foster introduced two modes of Christian faith: faith backward and faith forward.

Having faith backward, he explained, looks to Christ’s first coming. Like Abram believing in God’s promised Seed, believers look back to Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Through faith in Him, we are counted as righteous not because of our efforts but because of His. “Rest in His righteousness,” Foster urged.

Having faith forward, however, looks ahead to Christ’s second coming. Just as Abram trusted God for promises not yet fulfilled, we can set our hope on Jesus’ return. “We must imitate Abram’s forward-looking faith,” Foster said, “and believe Jesus is coming back.” Referencing 1 John 3:2–3, he encouraged us to savor the second coming.

Foster summarized the areas of faith in this way: “Turn your faith out toward Christ, backward for salvation, and forward for great hope.” The God who kept His covenant with Abram is the same God who keeps His promises to us, calling His people to live with a steady faith rooted in what Christ has done and what He will surely do.