5.4.35a 7.21.2019 OBCSC 2 Jr. High Imagine a Night Like This Genesis 15.1-6

Was it…

Was it…

…a night like this…dark, hot, humid, silent.

Maybe he couldn't sleep or was startled awake when he realized that God was speaking to him.

Genesis 15:1–6 ESV

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Maybe it was getting more difficult to hide the disappointment he must have felt being a childless pilgrim.

He had been:

Deliberate.

Determined. (even)

(even)

Dogged. (but now he was)

Discouraged (and)

Distracted.

He just did not see how God's promise was to be realized, where God's path was taking him, how God's priorities could transform Him.

You instead of Him…

Imagine what it was like to stand with your creator beneath the starry heavens and to hear Him say…

Just trust me.

How would you have handled it?

Would you have become more discouraged? Asked more questions?

Abram at the moment on that starry night became the father of the faithful. Ancestor of Israel and benchmark for all who would seek God to faithfully follow.

Imagine…

…a night like this that you too look at the starry host, listen to the beckoning voice of God and whisper…I believe. Whatever You intend for me. Wherever You will lead me. However

You will use me. I Believe.