SHINE ON
Genesis
15:5: “He [God] took him [Abraham] outside
and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can cunt
them.’ Then He said to him, ‘So shall
your offspring be’”
How do you react when someone
promises you something that seems wildly unlikely to happen?
The reason Abraham is listed in
Hebrews 11 is because he believed God.
Abraham didn’t pooh-pooh God during the opening Scripture; he just
figured that the Almighty knew something to make it true.
Hebrews 11:11 shows why Abraham’s
faith was so admired: “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah
herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he [Abraham]
considered Him [God] faithful as one who had made the promise.”
Just like sports have a “Hall of
Fame” where great players are admired forever, Hebrews’ chapter eleven is the
Bible’s Hall of Faith. Check out the
lesson linked below to see other greats cherished in the Bible’s Hall.
In today’s distrust, to believe a
promise simply because we think that person is faithful is pretty weak. Now you understand why Abraham is preserved
in the Hall.
Using stars as His example, do you
think that God meant only the number of Abraham’s offspring? That’s surely what Abraham thought. But there is another similarity besides the number of stars in His example. God intended for Abraham’s offspring to possess
star quality.
We see stars as tiny specks in the
night sky. But really, every star is
like our sun. Every speck in the vast
sky is actually a brilliant orbit of light.
If we could expand the image, we’d be blinded by stars’ brilliance!
As Senior Patriarch of our Christian
faith, Abraham lays claim to being the father of all Christians, who number in
the billions! Granted, Believers usually
don’t see ourselves as stars. Often, we
feel rather insignificant. But truthfully,
Believers-in-Christ are magnificent and brilliant in the heavens. We just appear insignificant on Earth.
Take
Home Nugget
When we see others—especially children—remember
that we are all like stars. Let us
reframe people from how they appear on Earth to the infinite potential each one
has. Each one may neither accomplish
much nor reach a standard of greatness…but who are we to judge?
“Then their good character will
shine through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Savior God.”
Titus 2:10, The Message.
Not only are we made in God’s image—but
through faith in Jesus—we are superstars in God’s eyes!
Holy
Father, teach me to see others as You created them, and never judge them according
to my standards. May I view not only
others—but myself that way, too. Praying
this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Adapted from “Shine Like the
Stars” by Rabbi Eckstein. November 10,
2016. www.holylandmoments.com
J.D. Griffith
The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:
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order “Meet Guardian Archangels” click here
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