Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

I like the Impressionist period of art and though the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh is described as a Post-Impressionist painter I appreciate his work. As I reflect on today’s scripture lesson, I am reminded of one of van Gogh’s most famous paintings, The Starry Night.

God promised Abram that he would become a father and many times over a grandfather. Abram wasn’t getting any younger and he did not yet have one child. It occurred to God that Abram needed a sign of His promise to bless Abram in that way.

“God thought Abram needed something more to help him understand. So God took Abram outside and showed him the night sky. ‘Your family will include as many people as there are stars in the sky,’ God told Abram. Abram stared up at all those stars. He couldn’t begin to count all those twinkling lights. Stars and stars and stars – all around him.”

Van Gogh’s painting has swirls of stars in brilliant yellow on a black and blue background. The stars are mesmerizing making me think of how Abram must have been reeling to see so many stars and to be promised that he would have that many or more descendants when he was so old and still childless. Great things God has done and greater things God will still do. God did it for Abram and He does that for you and me too.

Prayer

Creator God, we love to star gaze and we are amazed at all the stars that sine above us. We thank You that Abram saw all those stars and that a star shines for us too, for we are faith descendants of Abram and Sarai. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.