“The word of the Lord came to him: … ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then He said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” (Genesis 15:4-5)
God had called Abraham to leave his family and country, which he had done. God had also promised to make a great nation of him, but this promise did not come true for years. Abraham and his wife Sarai did not have a single child! As the years passed by, their faith was put to the test. One night, God appeared to Abraham and told him, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great” (Genesis 15:1).
Abraham answered that it was useless for him to get any more riches since he did not have a child to inherit his possessions. But God repeated His promise to give Abraham a son. Then Abraham believed the Lord (Genesis 15:6). His faith has become an example for thousands of people. The Bible even calls him “the father of all who believe” (Romans 4:11).
The Lord gave Abraham a visible reminder that his descendants would be so numerous that nobody could count them. He just had to look up at night and watch the stars to remember God’s promise. Abraham believed that he would get a child before he could see this happen, but his faith was supported by a visible sign.
Are there visible reminders that help you believe God’s invisible promises?