Underdogs of the Old Testament: Abraham
Let us pray…
Source of all being,
Light from whom all shapes proceed;
Reveal your holy presence.
Make us holy by touching us again with your life.
May our spirits know your Spirit.
May our words speak of your Word.
May our hearts rest in the peace of your ever-present love. Amen
Http://www.thefreedictionary.com describes an underdog as, “the competitor least likely
to win a fight or contest, and a person in adversity or in a position of inferiority.”
Underdogs are unlikely heroes. They may have had humble beginnings or grew up in
less-than-ideal circumstances. Their place in society may have been lowly. They could
be considered unpopular. Underdogs may be reluctant, meaning they lack selfconfidence, laugh at their ability or do not trust themselves. Underdogs are not perfect;
as a matter of fact, they may make big mistakes that are irreversible. Yet despite all of
these inadequacies and flaws, they know they have a deeper purpose. They are driven
to move forward and fulfill their calling.
Why do underdogs make good heroes? We see ourselves in them. They are relatable.
We can all be heroes despite our failings and unworthiness. Being an underdog calls
for perseverance and a determination to fight for something greater than our own being.
Underdogs give us hope. They remind us that there is a way out of our meagerness
and toil. They call us to look outside of ourselves to a greater wholeness.
Circumstances do not have to be ideal to have everything turn out well in the end, and
we can all identify with that.
One trait of an underdog…reluctance.
Underdogs are not always sure they are the right
people for the job. Abraham and Sarah
displayed reluctance. When God said they
would bear a child despite their old age, Sarah
laughed. She laughed that she and Abraham
would have the ability to create a child; yet God
laughed last. Isaac was born to them. For the
underdog, it may seem impossible; but for God,
everything is possible.
God made a covenant with Abraham. “I will maintain my covenant with you and your
descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and
the God of your descendants after you, “ (Genesis 17:7). Yet Abraham still had
moments of reluctance. When he entered the land of Negeb, he was afraid that the
people would kill him because Sarah was so beautiful and they could not have her. He
made Sarah say she was his sister, but of course his lie was found out. Abraham says,
“I was afraid because I thought there would surely be no fear of God in this place,
“(Genesis 20:11). He was always granted safe passage despite his fear. God provided
for him. God sees past our fears to the other side of them.
Another trait of the underdog…serving others. Abraham, even while being a great
leader for his people, reached out and served three strangers that happened to be
going by his tent. He put himself in the underdog role. He bowed to the strangers, and
asked them, “…please do not go past your servant, “ (Genesis 18:3). Not only did he
bring them water and offer a cool place to sit, he had rolls made of fine flour and had
special meat prepared. It was Abraham himself who waited on them. It is unclear if
Abraham ever discovers that it is God’s self who is one of the strangers (or perhaps all
three as Trinity?). Abraham naturally serves others in his leadership role.
Let us pray…
May His love glow in our eyes
And may we see His love glowing in the eyes of all we meet.
Then, the God of Joy will live in our hearts and minds this summer
And it will be a time of ‘greenness’ and goodness and growth.
Amen