That Starry Night by Ama Afriyie-Jenkins

“Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.” (Hebrews 6:15 NLT)

Can you imagine waiting on God for a century for the manifestation of His promise? It sounds ridiculous, right? Ironically, many people do not live up to a century lest waiting on God for ten whole decades! Also, have you realized that nobody likes to wait, regardless of the circumstances? We always grow impatient at the slightest delay because it is inherent for us to want our desires fulfilled immediately!

Let’s turn to the story of Abraham in the Bible, one of the patriarchs who waited a very long time for the fulfillment of God’s promise. He waited a whole century to have an heir and for twenty-five years for the manifestation of God’s promise. Are you confused? Let’s do some quick math here. When Abraham was 75 years old, God first promised to make him a father of many nations (Genesis 12:1- 4). God reappeared at the brink of his testimony, when Abraham was 99 years old, to make an everlasting covenant with him (Genesis 17). Then, God changed his name from Abram to Abraham to establish His promises. His original name, Abram, means exalted father in Hebrew, and his new name, Abraham, means father of a multitude. Abraham’s new name now affirmed the countless descendants that will come through him.

Many times, people identify us with our persistent and perpetual problems. How do people describe you: desolate? barren? failing? abandoned? depressed? confused? worthless? As much as it hurts, be encouraged! Here’s a promise from God’s word to you “... You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the Lord delights in you...” (Isaiah 62:2-4 NKJV). Declare over yourself that as God did for Abraham, He will also change your name to overcomer, prosperous, conqueror, precious, joyful, fruitful- when His promises manifest in your life.

In Genesis 14, a war broke out and invaders plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and captured everything, including Lot, Abraham’s nephew. When he was informed, he mobilized his 318 trained men, albeit a small number, and they pursued the raiders and recovered everything victoriously. Upon return, he gave a tenth of everything to the high priest, Melchizedek, and received priestly blessings. Then, the King of Sodom asked Abraham to return his people and offered him all the retrieved goods instead. But Abraham replied, swearing to the Lord that he would not accept any goods because the King might say, “I made Abraham rich.” This astounding display of faith showed how reliant he was on God. Interestingly, our deepest fears always come after we have exhibited the greatest faith and Abraham was no exception.

In the next chapter, God appeared to him in a vision to reassure him of an exceedingly great reward, so he should not be troubled. Then, Abraham expressed his sincere perplexity, asking God what good is the reward when he has not given him any descendants to inherit it. Time had passed, and his belief was really pushed to the brink. On that starry night, this conversation was a defining moment in Abraham’s waiting period. In answer, God graciously invited him to step outside and said to him, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them, so shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5). God gave him a visible sign and showed him the magnitude of the promise (not when it will come to pass) when his faith was running out, and he was counted righteous because he believed God immediately and did not lean on his own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Sometimes, in our seasons of despair, when our faith is pushed nearly to a point beyond belief and everything is on the line, dare to ask God for a tangible sign and God will lead you to your defining moment of faith, too. Resolve to stick with God no matter the anguish in waiting and fight to believe that, “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.” (Joshua 21:45 NLT).

Usually, we wonder what is happening during our waiting period. Is it just an empty space between our prayers and their fulfillment? No, in our waiting, God does His deepest work. It may feel like He is delaying and slow in keeping His promise, but here’s the caveat—rather, it is a season where God tests and refines our character through faith. We have to trust in His timing and ways, especially when our fallible minds cannot comprehend why He seems distant. Sometimes, God will satisfy our deepest desires by miraculously fulfilling what we ask for. Other times, He may deny our requests and give us immeasurably more than we can dare ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20). Either way, we will find inexpressible joy when we wholly trust and depend on Him.

Ama Afriyie-Jenkins has a special affinity for gender, sustainable development, and global governance. She and her husband live in Accra, Ghana with their three children and they shepherd a non-denominational Christian fellowship, Inspirational Hour Ministries. Ama remembers loving to write from an early age and she is a voracious reader. She has a heart for girl-child education and women’s economic empowerment in rural communities in Ghana.

Amma Afriyie-Jenkins

You can connect with Ama via email: ammajenkins@ gmail.com, on Facebook, and on LinkedIn (@Ama Afriyie-Jenkins).