334 SE Tecumseh Road  P.O. Box 5  Tecumseh, Kansas 66542  (785) 379-5005  Fax - (785) 379-5061

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The Promise Genesis 2:1 – 4a  The Genesis story of Abraham (in this passage still Abram) marks a dramatic and significant change in direction, a change in the way God relates to God’s people. One of the things that strikes me about the scriptural account of Abraham is his silence. As a person of the theatre, as a director, I can’t help but fill in those blanks, to imagine the dialogue that might have taken place between God and Abraham.  God.  Abram, I want you to leave your country and – Abram.  (interrupts God) Do what? Leave my country? God.  It’s not a good idea to interrupt God. Now, as I was saying – you are to leave your country and, of course, your family. I will let you know just where it is I want you to go. Abram. (absolutely dumbfounded; thinking fast) Uh, God – have you considered just how old I am? You do remember that I’m 75, right? Come to think of it, my wife Sarai’s not exactly a spring chicken either! God. Just trust me, Abram, I intend to make you a great man, I will bless you more than you can possibly imagine. Abram. But God, I like Haran – this is my country, I love my family and friends here – God. (cuts him off) I know all of that, but you just have to trust in me, put all of your faith in me. Listen now, not only will I bless you, but I will send my blessings upon others who come after you, your descendants! Think about that! Abram. (Aha! the perfect counter-argument!) Come after me! Descendants? You’ve forgotten that Sarai and I have no kids, and it’s a little late to start now, don’t you think? God. Well, I have a plan for that too, but we’ll talk about that later. Trust me, you and Sarai are going to be amazed! But for now – just do as I ask. Abram. (thinks, frets, and then comes to acceptance; slowly-) God, you know that I’ve been your servant, and will be your servant. I admit I’m scared, and I admit it’ll be really hard to leave our home, our friends, our language and culture. But God, you know that I do trust you. One thing though – be there for me when I break the news to Sarai, OK?  A new direction lies ahead for Abram, Sarai, for you, for me. Salvation lies ahead! Reaching our destination will not always go smoothly or easily. We will experience fear, misgivings, doubts, even anger perhaps. Like Abraham, we may want to debate with God. In the end, however, we put our faith in God’s promise and in the covenant God has made with us. We go, not knowing all that lies ahead but trusting in a God of grace and glory. “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.” And we go with him.  - Pastor Piet - February 17, 2008: 2nd Sunday in Lent