The Explanation

It was night. Abram stood outside his tent. The sky was black. So many stars.

Abram was sad. Very sad. He had no children. Not one little boy. Not one little girl.

Then God spoke. Soft, but clear. "Don't be afraid, Abram," God said. "I am your shield."

Abram said, "But God, I have no son."

God took Abram outside. "Look up," God said. "Look at the stars."

Abram looked up. He saw stars, and more stars, and even more stars.

"Count them," God said. "That is how many children you will have."

Abram believed Him. He looked at all those stars, and he believed.

What Does This Mean?

That night, God asked Abram to bring animals. A cow. A goat. A ram. Two little birds.

Abram cut the animals in half. He laid the pieces in two rows.

Birds came flying down. Big, hungry birds. Abram chased them away. Again, and again.

Then the sun went down. It got dark, so dark. Abram fell asleep. A deep, deep sleep.

In his sleep, he felt scared. Cold and scared, all alone in the dark.

But God was there. God spoke to him, even in the dark.

The Common Thread

God told Abram a promise. Land for his children. A big, good land.

Then something wonderful happened. When it was dark, fire came. A smoking oven. A burning flame.

The fire moved between the animal pieces. All by itself, it moved.

That fire was God. God was making a promise. A promise that would never break.

Long, long after Abram, another baby was born. His name was Jesus. He came from Abram's family, from all those stars.

God always keeps His promises. Every single one.

For You

Have you ever counted stars at night? Try it sometime, with someone you love.

Every star is a promise. God kept His word to Abram, even in the dark.

When you feel scared at night, remember this. God was with Abram in the dark tent. God is with you too.

You don't have to be afraid. God is your shield.

Talk About It

Why do you think God showed Abram the stars instead of just telling him the number?

Can you think of a time you were scared in the dark? What helped you feel better?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank You for the stars. Thank You for keeping promises. When it is dark, stay close to me. You are my shield. Amen.