Are you a star gazer? I can recall a few grade school field trips to the planetarium on ISU’s campus. We would sit in the dark and stare up at the big domed ceiling depicting the starry sky and all of its wonder. It fell short of the real thing but I learned how to identify the big and the little dipper. Honestly, I probably slept through the rest, but I do know that there are stars upon stars upon stars. Most we will never see in our lifetime. The best star gazing is done without the intrusion of city lights and somewhere in the great wide open. On a boat in the middle of a lake, from the top of a mountain, or in the middle of an open field. The stars are always a great reminder of how small I am and how big the universe is. Only God knows how many there are and where He placed them.
Genesis 15:1-6 describes a star gazing moment between God and Abram (later to be named Abraham). God chose Abram and promised to make him into a great nation, but Abram struggled with the details and the execution of God’s plan. He voiced his concerns to God and his concerns seemed quite valid from our human perspective. He was promised to be the father of many nations but had yet to produce any offspring. He and his wife Sarai were getting older and the opportunity to have children was decreasing by the day. He was worried and questioning. God listened and offered encouragement. God first said to him in Genesis 15:1, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward”. Picture God putting his arm around Abram’s shoulders and gently walking him outside to look at the stars. He says to Abram, “Look up at the sky and count the stars – if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be”. There were no city lights obstructing their view and the stars had to have been magnificent against a black sky. Too many to count. This star gazing moment was God’s response to Abrams questioning. It’s as if He said “You have no idea what I have planned but it is beyond anything you can imagine! It’s not going to happen the way anyone expects. Trust me!” God always chooses the most unlikely people to reveal his purpose. Abram did not have the benefit of the Bible to read for reassurance that God was the real deal. He came from the land of Ur where they worshipped many gods, but he left that place because God spoke to him and told him to do it. God had protected him because of his obedience. Abram believed him once again, and because of his faith he was determined to be righteous. Abram and Sarai did have children. Their children had children, and their children had children which became the lineage that led to the birth of Jesus. The Old Testament is always pointing us to Jesus.
Have you ever thought of yourself as one of those stars that Abram and God looked at? God knew you then and knows you now. During this Advent season, as we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus our savior, step outside and do some star gazing. Remember Abram and how his faith set into motion God’s plan for mankind. He made what seemed impossible, possible. To save the world in the form of a baby, the savior….Jesus. He is our hope!
Galatians 3:29 “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”.