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Can you see yourself in Abram? Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 There may be no other figure in the Hebrew Bible with greater stature than Abram. This is the man who pulled up stakes from his homeland, moving his entire family into unknown and foreign territory, all because God had asked him to do so. This is the man with whom God makes that incredible covenant, promising that his descendants will be numerous as the stars in the heavens. (15:5) So, one might have the impression that nothing can shake Abram and nothing will ever make him question, doubt, or fear. But a closer reading of the passage for this day does not substantiate such thinking about Abram. God speaks to him in a vision and says: Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great. (15:1, NRSV). Now you might think that Abram would just automatically respond: Of course, Lord, I know that, and thank you very much indeed! But no, that is not what Abram says at all. Instead he says, undoubtedly with great hesitation and trepidation: Well, now, God, I hear what you’re telling me, but you see, I have this problem, this concern. After all, I have no children of my own, so my question for you is: just what is it that you are going to give me? As I see it, right now the only person who can be the heir in my household is this servant of mine. Is that right, Lord?  (15:2+, with editorial modifications, of course.) Well, God assures him that the servant will not be the heir, but one of Abram’s own offspring shall fill that role, and that’s when God uses the analogy of the stars in the heaven. And scripture records: And he [Abram] believed the Lord. (15:6) Issue settled, right? Wrong. God makes the promise about the lands Abram and his people are to inherit, and what does Abram say? He does not say: Of course, Lord, I hear you, and thank you very much. No, that is not what he says at all. Instead, he says: Well now, God, I hear what you’re telling me, but you see, I have this problem, this concern. Just how is it that I am to know for sure that I will get this land you speak of? (15:8) So God has Abram do various sacrificial acts, and all seems to be just fine and dandy. But wait – here’s the very next line: As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. (15:12) Abram, later Abraham, that great and towering figure, that model of faith and of faithfulness, experiences a deep and terrifying darkness. He believes in God, and yet he experiences a deep and terrifying darkness within himself. Having faith in God does not mean that all fear and darkness goes away. Being a follower of Jesus does not mean that we face no adversity or are somehow exempt from struggles from within and from without. But as was the case for Abram, God is still there. Always.  - Pastor Piet - March 4, 2007: 2nd Sunday in Lent (Please read the scripture passage in its entirety