Today we continue the story of Abram (Abraham).  He takes the initial great step of faith in leaving his family and country and following God by faith.  We come to a slight hiccup in the story in the second half of Genesis 12.  Let’s look at it together today.

10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. 17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

Abram has a faith crisis.  He had trusted God and even boldly acted as a result but now he feels uncertain about his own safety.  He essentially lies, gives his wife as a slave to Pharaoh, to save himself.  He knows that God has promised he will make a great nation out of him and Sarah’s offspring, but in the face of danger doubts creep in.  He decides to take matters in his own hands.  That is the problem in all of our lives when we begin to doubt God’s promises and take matters into our own hands.  When we act as though our way is better than God’s way.  Today rest in the promises of God.  Trust in Him with all your heart. Don’t rely on your own understanding. Let Him make your paths straight!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave