Genesis 15 + Psalm 11

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.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬-‭6‬

Abram is counted as righteous because he believes in the Lord’s word despite the fact that he has some concerns. In Genesis 15:2, Abram says “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless”. God promises him that his offspring will be equal to the number of stars in the sky! Abram has no children and God promises him a vast amount of them! What this story tells me is that it is okay for us to bring our concern and our lack of understanding to God in prayer. It is not okay when that concern or lack of understanding then results in disbelief. Our faith is displayed most when we are tested by God. Our faith is strengthened when we choose to believe in God when we have reasons to believe in something else.

The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬

The Lord will test us and our faith just as He tested Abram and his faith. Abram is used as an example in the New Testament to show what faith looks like. Faith is a trust that stands the test of time and endures despite circumstances. It is the faith where somebody would question, “Why do you believe when all this is happening to you?” The answer is that our trust in God is greater than in anything that could come from us.

The example of Abram and the words of David in the Psalm both show great emotion poured out to God in prayer while also recognizing that He is the shield against the struggle. It reminds me that in my prayers I must bring everything on my heart before God. I believe that by sharing (and admitting to) everything going on (everything that He already knows by the way), I will grow closer to Him than ever before. And that here, in humility and surrender, I will see His promises fulfilled!