And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” (Genesis 15:5 NAS95)
Through a vision, Abram has a conversation under the night sky. The story has more to it, but Abram had walked with God for a while and wondered when or if a descendent would come. While Abram trusted God, his patience or maybe his age, caused him to wonder and reconsider how the promise would be fulfilled. This wouldn’t be the last time for Abram to struggle with this. His imperfections, faults and brokenness could easily distract him from seeing the obvious in God’s continued increasing of his possessions — evident fulfillment of a portion of the promise.
So they converse, and to make His point, God walks Abram out into the night sky and asks him to look up, to see the stars. Then He asks him to count them. In this gentle, receptive, interactive conversation with God, Abram’s faith grows. Whether it was due to the length of time or the quality of the conversation, Abram felt a confidence, an assurance that this God could do what He said. He believed God. Maybe just looking up into the enormousness of space gave Him pause to consider the majesty of the One with Whom he was talking. So many stars reminding of the vastness of creation or the millions of other people on the earth, and Abram had an audience with the Creator of it all. Maybe he felt special in that moment and overwhelmed with God’s love, assuring him of the promise. Looking up in prayer can do wonders for the soul.
For Reflection:
“O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!” (Psalms 8:1 NAS95)
- When have you been overwhelmed with God’s majesty and drawn into prayer or worship as a result?
- What helps you to see and respond to God’s majesty?
