Daily EncouragementNäide

This is a mighty text epitomizing “the faith of Abraham” in which the New Testament writers see such endless significance (Rom. 4:1ff: Heb. 11:8ff; Jas. 2:20ff). It is a response to the gospel announced in advance (Gal. 3:6ff). It establishes Abraham as “the father of us all,” for “He is our father in the sight of God in whom he believed” (Rom. 4:16-17).

The nature of faith is evident here. Faith is receiving the grace of God. In grace the Lord directed Abram’s gaze to the starlit heavens and spoke his word of promise to his heart. Faith is believing the word of God as Abram believed the Lord. Faith is trusting the power of God as Abram did, although childless, believing that he would have offspring as numerous as the stars. Faith is giving glory to God: “Abram believed the Lord.” And this faith justifies: “he credited it to him as righteousness.”

Abram’s immediate circumstances are significant. The great promise came as a word of encouragement to a man sitting in his tent dejected, grieved that he had no son and saddened by the prospect of a servant being his heir, feeling no immediate solace despite God’s assurance of protection and reward. Then “He took him outside” and under the starry heavens “Abram believed the Lord.”