Abram was a remarkable man. Forget the fact that he was still able at age 99 to father children! The first remarkable thing about Abram was that he was willing to believe God and so set out on a journey to an unknown land, without the security of country and kindred but only the promise that God would take care of him. How many of you at age 75 or even 35 would make that kind of journey, that kind of commitment?

At first it seems like a rosy future: a great nation, a new land, blessings promised to those whom Abram blesses, and curses on ones whom Abram curses. What could Abram have to lose? Several things come to my mind: a sense of stability, worldly comfort (such as it was in those days), family ties. Gone now were Abram’s retirement plans -- no 42 parties, no bridge games, no 18 holes o…