Genesis 15:1-6

This morning we are looking at the pivotal point in Abram’s life - where he decides whether or not to believe God. In the first verse we saw that Abram had been full of fear, so God dealt with that immediately: Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield and your very great reward. Does it amaze you, like it does me, that God knows our names? Not only that, He knows what troubles us - and CARES! Abram’s response seems tenuous, if not actually whiny:

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.” (vs. 2-3)

Since Abram had no children, he had no one to carry on his name. Even Lot could not do that, because Lot had to carry on his own father’s name. So, the only option in Abram’s mind was to adopt his servant, Eliezar, and pass everything on to him. So, even though God has promised Abram to be his “very great reward,” Abram admits that there really is nothing he wants except a son, and God has not given him one of those...

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.” (vs 4-5)

Oh my goodness! “I’m not just going to give you the son, Abram, I’m going to give you so many offspring, you will never be able to count them all!!” What an amazing promise to give an old man! Here’s another Ephesians 3:20 moment!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...


Jon Courson points out that scientists think there are as many stars as grains of sand - and in Gen 22:17, God reaffirms to Abraham that his family will be as numerous as the grains of sand. He finds it interesting that computer chips, made up of silicon (sand) can perform one trillion calculations per second, and that “clear back in antiquity, God measured his thoughts toward us [as well as Abram’s offspring] with the subtsance that would come to epitomize our computer age.”

This statement by God must have boggled Abram’s mind. But what does the next verse tell us?

Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. (vs, 6)

Now, we know, looking backward, how God fulfilled this promise, and we now recognize that Abram is the father of the faithful. But let’s remember that when this promise was made, Abram had no Bible in his hand. He could not flip to all of the promises and the biblical events to read for himself how God was faithful and would keep His promises. He could not turn to a passage to hold onto a verse. So, when we are told that Abram believed God we have reason to be amazed. WOW! No wonder it was credited it to him as righteousness!!! And yet, even with all we have in the way of evidence, God still credits us as righteous when we, too, believe! Abram’s heart is the heart God is after. He is looking for those who will just believe what He says!

What promise do you need this morning? A couple of weeks ago our speaker at Bible Study Fellowship recommended we go an a “shopping spree” in God’s Word for verses of encouragement and promise. Doesn’t that sound better than a day at the mall looking for things that will wear out, or go out of style, and. ultimately, not satisfy? I'm game! What are some promises from God’s Word that He has made to you personally? Will you share them with us, please??
Off to work! Have a great morning!