subsequently a natural son was born he would become the heir, as Hurrian law laid down. It was helpful that Abram had voiced his misgivings. The Psalms record a whole range of human reactions to life’s experiences, and encourage frank admission of the enigmas that arise when God seems far away, or appears to have allowed wrong doing to succeed. Freedom to express our misgivings leads on to the Lord’s response, not in rebuke, but in redoubled promises, as happened here. Abram said, ‘I continue childless