Abraham believed God

Genesis 15:1-6. In order to really grasp the impact of the statement, "Abraham believed God...”, we need to take a look at the circumstances that led up to it. In chapter 12, Abram (later renamed Abraham) was told to leave his country and family and go to a land that God would show him. He was told that God would make him into a great nation. So, at the age of 75, he left. This was his first recorded encounter with God. About any relationship he had with God before this time we have no knowledge. He took with him his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot and all his possessions. After he had been in Canaan for some time and after a jaunt to Egypt during a famine, his and Lot's possessions grew to a point that the land would no longer support both families. Abram decided that they should separate. After they separated God told Abram, All the land north, south, east and west would be given to his descendants forever. Chapter 14 tells us that while Lot was in Sodom that Sodom and the surrounding cities came under the control of the king of Elam. They were subject to Elam for 12 years. In the 13th year they rebelled, and the king of Elam and 3 other kings came and attacked them and carried away the food, Lot and much other plunder. The message got to Abram who gathered his 318 trained men along with his 3 friends and their men and attacked the 4 kings’, encampment at night. Lot and all the plunder were retrieved and returned. After Abram refused any share of the plunder except what his men had eaten, he was met by Melchizedek who offered bread and wine and blessed Abram. Abram gave him 10 percent of all he had. In chapter 15 we are told that God appeared to Abram in a vision. He told Abram, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward." Abram’s reply: “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I am childless, and you have given me no children & a servant will be my heir?" God replied, “Your servant will not be your heir, but a son from your own body will be your heir." “Your offspring will be as the stars of the sky." It was at this point that we are told that Abram believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. We need to learn to believe God even when the answer looks impossible and improbable.