The Story

God had promised Abram a land and a great family, but time was passing, and Abram and Sarai still had no child. Then the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, and God spoke to him with strong, kind words: "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." God told Abram not to be afraid. God Himself was Abram’s shield, and God Himself was his very great reward.

Abram answered honestly. He asked God what He would give him, since he had no child. It looked as if Eliezer, a servant born in Abram’s house, would be the one to receive everything after him. But God said no: Eliezer would not be Abram’s heir. God promised that Abram would have his very own son.

Then God brought Abram outside under the night sky and told him to count. These are God’s words: "Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them". Abram looked up at more stars than anyone could ever count — and God said his seed, his descendants, would be just as many. There was no way Abram could make this happen himself. There was only one thing to do with a promise like that, and Abram did it: he believed in the LORD. That is our memory verse — God counted Abram’s faith as righteousness, because Abram trusted God completely.

Then God reminded Abram that He had brought him out of Ur to give him this land. Abram asked how he would know he would truly have it, and God made a solemn covenant promise with him. Abram brought a heifer, a goat, a ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon, as God said. He divided the larger animals and laid the pieces in rows, and he chased away the birds that tried to come down on them.

As the sun went down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. In the darkness, God told him that his descendants would live as strangers in a land that was not theirs and would have hard years there — but God would judge that nation and bring His people out. Then, when it was fully dark, Abram saw "a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp" passing between the pieces of the animals. In that way the LORD made His covenant with Abram, promising the land to his seed. Abram had believed God by starlight — and God never forgot His promise.