Daily Devotionals
September 8, 2021
Starry, Starry Night
DAILY READING
FIELD NOTES
Several years ago my husband and I vacationed in Maine. One cold, clear evening we drove to the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park to look at the stars. From the pinnacle of the mountain we had a 360-degree view of the inky black sky spattered with brilliant, twinkling stars. The Milky Way was a thick, smudgy band of muted white twisting across heavens. We stayed as long as we could, awestruck, until the piercing wind drove us back into our warm car.
In today’s reading, we read about God taking Abram outside on a clear night and showing him the stars. “Look, Abram, see these stars? Can you count them? That’s how many descendants I will give you.” That was a funny thing for God to say, considering Abram had not even one child at that point in his life. As of yet, there was no evidence that God would be able to keep his word.
But verse 6 says, “And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.” Abram had no tangible proof that God would keep his promise, but he trusted God and trusted that somehow he would accomplish what he promised. Because of Abram’s trust, his relationship with God was deepened.
QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD
- Which of God’s promises do you need to trust in your own life today?
FAMILY FIELD TALK
- On a clear night, ask your parents to take you outside and look at the stars together. How many stars can you count? Think about how God created all these stars and yet also pays attention to each of us.
PRAYER GUIDE
Creator God, give us the faith to trust you and your promises even when there is no tangible evidence that your promises will come true. Help us to grow in our relationship with you and deepen our trust.