The sight of the full array of stars is lost to much of humanity today. Yet, when viewed from a dark place, the stars are truly awe-inspiring. God says to Abram, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them’ (Genesis 15:5). This is an impossible task, but that’s the point! What a glorious promise God makes to Abram—seemingly impossible to believe. Yet Abram believes, and ‘the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness’ (Genesis 15:6).

To believe means more than simply accepting something as true; it means to ‘hold it dear’, to cling to it. Perhaps it is easy to believe in the promises of God when the stars shine brightly, and the ‘heavens are telling the glory of God’ (Psalm 19:1). But what about when the stars are dim or obscured? Abram’s faith was tested through great trial and duress, yet in those moments of darkness, he held fast to God’s promise and gained the reward of the righteous.

St Paul points us to a similar truth. God’s promise to the Church is glorious—we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Yet, we live in a broken world, in fragile, imperfect bodies. There are moments when we feel God’s nearness and experience his blessings, but also times of humiliation and suffering when our dreams and hearts are broken. In these moments, we cling to faith, awaiting the fullness of the glory to which we are called.

The Gospel account of Jesus’ Transfiguration offers a beautiful lesson. On his way to Jerusalem, where he would face humiliation, suffering, and death, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain. There, his glory is revealed, and God’s eternal plan is affirmed by the presence of Moses and Elijah. The Father’s unbreakable love for the Son is declared.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostles remembered his transfiguration and came to understand that he was no less glorious on the Mount of Calvary than on the Mount of Transfiguration. In his suffering and apparent failure on the cross, God’s plan unfolded, and the Father’s love overflowed to all humanity. In the suffering of Christ, the Father remained faithful to his promises. Jesus trusted in the Father’s goodness, even when it was obscured and even when he was subjected to terrible duress.

Clinging to God in trial and duress is the righteous belief that justified Abram, gave confidence to Paul, and was expressed most perfectly by Christ upon the cross. Let us also trust in God’s promise, not only when his blessings are apparent, but also when they are hidden from view.

by Fr Michael Grace