Living with the Promise

Our narrative lectionary study group at Seneca Pres met for the first time Wednesday night- and it was marvelous! We started talking about the amazing Abraham, and the questions, comments, wonderings, and praise just kept flowing. We were amazed by his faith, wisdom, and courage. We were encouraged by his humanity. Trying to pass Sarah off as his sister -not once but twice - give me a break! (We also decided it was quite remarkable for Sarah to be considered "drop dead gorgeous" in her 70s.) We wondered about Ishmael and Hagar. Just what was Abraham's relationship to his first son? Then we realized how very differently we read this story after sharing conversation with Muslim brothers and sisters. We decided that without faith, nothing in the story would have been possible. We were grateful for a God who can take ordinary people and do extraordinary things with their lives.

So what is your take on Abraham? He was the first of the great patriarchs - and being first at anything isn't easy. Even though he was known for some impressive military victories as he rescued his nephew Lot, some high-level diplomatic debating as he tried to convince God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah, and some shrewd business maneuvers as he came away from his encounters with other kings a wealthy man - throughout the ages what distinguishes him is his faith. It was a faith that trusted in an unseen promise and a faith that trusted even more in an unseen God - a God whose promise - if only for a moment - was more important to him than his own son.

As we gather for worship at Seneca Presbyterian Church this Sunday, would you ponder with me:

• How did Abraham know to trust the voice he thought was God? 
• How lonely was the journey? 
• How often did he doubt? 
• What is the essence of faith for you and how do you hold to it as best you can? 
• If God can be partners with a man like Abraham, what might God have planned for you?