ABRAM: A FATHER AT 100

ABRAM: A FATHER AT 100

(Genesis 15)

God's word came to Abram in a vision:

“Don’t be afraid,” said the Lord. 

He greatly assured him that He was his shield, 

His very great reward.

But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD,

What reward can you now give?

You have given me no children;

And we’re old with not long to live.

The LORD took him outside and said,

"Count all the stars you see,

—if indeed you can count them,

For so shall your offspring be."

Abram believed the LORD,

For His truth had been made known.

"I brought you out of Ur,” said God,

“To give you this land to own."

His wife, Sarah, was ninety-nine.

Though her maid had a boy, she had none.

But God performed a miracle,

And the couple was blessed with a son.

They named their only son Isaac.

Its meaning suited him.

For Isaac brought them “laughter.”

He was everything to them.

One night Abram had a bad dream,

God showed him things to come.

His people would become slaves,

In a faraway, Gentile kingdom.

God would hear the cry,

Of the people of Abram’s seed.

He would send someone kin,

To free them and to lead.

God knew about Abram’s family,

Before one of them came to be.

And I can say with confidence,

He knows the same about me.

Becky Overturf Wall