Genesis 15:6—“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

This verse stands as one of the clearest declarations of the gospel in the Old Testament. Abram, still childless and surrounded by uncertainty, is given a promise from God that his descendants will be as countless as the stars. Humanly speaking, the promise seemed impossible. Yet Abram’s response was not doubt, but faith: “he believed in the LORD".

This belief was not mere intellectual agreement, but a wholehearted trust in God’s word and character. Abram rested not in what he could see, but in what God had spoken. In that moment, God “counted it to him for righteousness”. This is the doctrine of justification. God declaring a sinner righteous, not because of works, but through faith.

God’s promise was not just that Abraham would have descendants, but one that would find its ultimate fulfilment in Christ, through whom all nations are blessed. (Genesis 12:3; 22:18; Galatians 3:8, 16). Abraham believed all the promised salvific blessings in Christ. The New Testament confirms this truth (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6). 

Abram was not accepted because of his obedience, but because he trusted in God’s promise. Righteousness was credited to him, not earned by him.

 We, like Abram, often face situations that seem beyond hope. Yet God does not call us to rely on our strength, but to trust His Word. Salvation is not achieved by effort, but is received by faith. Today, we are invited to the same posture: to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who fulfilled all righteousness for us. When we trust Him, His righteousness is counted as ours.

Let us, therefore, rest in God’s promise, walk by faith, and rejoice that righteousness comes not by works, but by believing.