“But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. ‘What have you done to me?’ he said. ‘Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?’” --Genesis 12:17-18
In two instances, Abraham (Abram) asked Sarah(Sarai) to say she was his sister, not his wife. The first time was in Egypt. The Bible says that “there was a famine in the land and Abram went to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.” (Genesis 12:10) However, Abraham feared that he would be killed if people knew that the beautiful Sarah was his wife. (Genesis 12:13) So he asked her to pose as his sister instead.
When they got to Egypt people did notice how beautiful Sarah was and Pharaoh took her into his household. God was not very happy about the whole situation and punished Pharaoh and his household with serious diseases. Pharaoh was forced to let Abraham and Sarah go.
You would think that Abraham would remember this experience and trust GOD with his life from that day forward. But he did not. Out of fear, Abraham lied again to Abimelech king of Gerar. (Genesis 20:1-2) God warned Abimelech about Sarah in a dream (Genesis 20:3) and Abimelech asked Abraham to leave with his wife and offered him his land. (Genesis 20:14)
Like many of us, Abraham had to deal with fear: fear of rejection and even death in these two cases. Which fear is holding you back? Has it led you to compromise your Christian faith? I must admit that I have compromised my faith out of fear but I know it is never too late to return to God. When we experience fear we can’t rely on ourselves, our means or even our friends. Only God is able to deliver us from the fearful situation or circumstance we face. He did it with Abraham and He will do the same for you.
Let us trust God. He will be there to protect us from any situation we might face...
Father, When I am afraid and quick to run away, remind me of Your great love for me. Amen
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