Read Genesis 15

A popular children’s song begins, “Father Abraham had many sons / and many sons had Father Abraham.” The Scriptures name eight sons of Abraham. One was his child with his maid Hagar (Gen. 16:3–4). Another was his son with Sarah (Gen. 21:1–3). The other six were born to Keturah, the woman he married after Sarah died (Gen. 25:1–6). But we don’t sing about “Father Abraham” because he gave birth to numerous sons. More importantly, he is our father in the faith.

Today’s passage shows why Abraham deserves this title: not because of his parenting skills but because of his faith. Up until this point Abraham had relied on God to provide for his needs (see Gen. 14:21–24). But he was troubled

by his lack of an heir, despite God’s promise to make him a great nation (Gen. 12:2). The Lord reiterated His promise in a vision, and Abraham’s response was one of faith (vv. 5–6). Because of his faith, the Lord rewarded him with the gift of righteousness. In this way Abraham became the prototype of all who believe (see Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; James 2:23).

Abraham continued to struggle with doubt. His son by Hagar was the result of an attempt to bring about God’s promise through human effort. But in the end, he “was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Rom. 4:20–21). God waited until Abraham and Sarah were too old to have children by any means other than divine intervention to show that the promise came from God.

We are Abraham’s children if we believe God’s promise to give us the gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:7).

APPLY THE WORD

We can become frustrated when God does not answer our prayers as quickly as we would like, especially when we are praying for God to work in our family life. Trust God to act in His own good time. Ask the Lord to increase your faith that He will not only keep His promises but also will do so in the best way and the perfect time.

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