“Look up at the sky and count the stars.” (Genesis 15:5)

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In Genesis 15, the Bible tells of another honest conversation, this one between Abram and God. God had told him, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your very great award.” But Abram uncertain of God’s promises about his future, answered candidly. “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless?”

Earlier God had promised Abram, “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth.” Now Abram in a very human moment, reminded God of that. But note God’s response: He assured Abram by telling him to look up and “count the stars if indeed you can,” indicating his descendants would be beyond numbering.

How good is God, not only to allow such candid prayer but also to gently reassure Abram! Later, God would change his name to Abraham, “father of many”. Like Abraham, you and I can openly share our hearts with Him and know that we can trust Him to do what’s best for us and others.

Daily Questions

1. How do you think Abraham felt when God encouraged him in such a difficult moment?
2. What candid conversation do you need to have with God today?

Daily Thoughts

Loving heavenly Father, thank You for caring about even the most intimate details of our lives. Help us to stay close to You in prayer today and all days.

Genesis 15: 1-6

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.”

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Abram believed the lord, and he credited to him as righteousness.

Bonus Information

Abram was in Ur when God called him to go to Canaan. God promised Abram a new land, numerous descendants, and great blessings. At age seventy-five, Abram arrived in Canaan. After he parted ways with Lot, God reiterated His promises of property and posterity. Some years later, Abraham was probably in his early eighties since Ishmael was born when he was eighty-six, God incorporated these promises into a formal covenant. Since his wife Sarai was barren, and Abram remained childless, this was an impossible promise. That “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness” is the first expression of the doctrine of justification by faith in the Bible. Paul quoted Genesis 15:6 to show that even Abraham was justified by faith.