A Work in Progress….

Genesis 20:11 Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’

Here Abraham does something else that I’m, unfortunately, adept at: justification, blame, explanation for actions that I know I should not have done. “But, but, but….” The heart of the matter is that both Abraham and I are afraid–That God will not do what He promised? That things will not turn out the way we want?–and therefore we feel we have to act to protect ourselves.

Genesis 20:12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife.

Even as I typed that last sentence, I know how ridiculous it sounds. The God of the universe, Creator of Heaven and earth, won’t fulfill His promise to never leave us nor forsake us? Preposterous. I *know* it is, and yet I still allow fear to make me do some crazy things. Jesus, Help me.

Genesis 20:13 And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.” ’ ”

Precious Savior, Your promise to never leave me nor forsake me does not mean that things will turn out the way that I want them to, but You have promised to work all things for our good and Your glory. Forgive me when I allow fear to make me doubt Your faithfulness. Help me to lay my burdens–all of them–at Your feet and to trust that You are in control. Amen.

Genesis 20:14 Then Abimelek brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 20:8 Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid.

I feel like I can copy/paste yesterday’s reflection here and call it done. Abimelek is doing what I am so very guilty of doing–focusing on the why, trying to find a reason, an explanation. Sometimes there isn’t one. And even when there is a reason or explanation, understanding it rarely helps the situation in any way.

Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom?

Commentary points out the irony of the pagan king being in the right, having to scold Abraham for being in the wrong. And again that brings to mind the fact that Abraham is considered righteous in the Bible, but he’s far from perfect. Again, that gives me hope.

Genesis 20:9b You have done things to me that should never be done.”

Precious Savior, Sometimes I feel as far from perfect as it is possible to get. But the stories of Abraham and Lot, of their mistakes and their missteps as well as their righteous moments, give me hope that You can use me. Always. Thank You for not giving up on me, even when I am a complete mess. Thank You for the hope that comes with knowing that You can use me, regardless of my missteps. Amen.

Genesis 20:10 And Abimelek asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?”

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 20:1-2 Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.

This is the second time in the book of Genesis that Abraham has lied about Sarah being his sister. Back in chapter 12 when the famine was raging and they fled to Egypt, he did the same thing. Then, it was because he didn’t want to be killed so that Sarah could be married to an Egyptian. We don’t yet know why he tells this particular lie again.

Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.”

In my heart, though, I know why Abraham lies again: He is afraid. He doesn’t fully trust God, even though he wants to. He is doing what he can to ensure that things turn out ok. I know this because I do this so very often. I DO trust God, but I am so very afraid, so I try to do things to protect myself and the situation. I’m just “helping,” not “distrusting.” I promise. (Help me, Jesus.)

Genesis 20:4 Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?

Precious Savior, You know my struggle with fear, bitterness, anger. You know my extreme Type A tendencies (plan, replan, back up plan, contingency plan). You also know my heart. Forgive me when I, like Abraham, once again try to take things into my own hands because of that fear. Help me lay my fear, anger, and bitterness at Your feet. Amen.

Genesis 20:5 Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister,’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.”

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 19:21 He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. 

When reading commentary about Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot, it says in part, “God confirmed their great wickedness and gave them a righteous witness in Lot.” I’m sorry….What?!? Lot and Abraham separate because their herds were so big that conflict had arisen over grazing land.

Genesis 19:22 But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar.)

Lot chooses to settle near the prosperous Sodom. He spends time at the city gate, indicating he has some power or influence in the city. He offers the riotous crowd his virgin daughters instead of the two strangers when they beat on the door and demand he hand over the strangers for carnal relations. This is a righteous man?!?

Genesis 19:23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land.

Precious Savior, I do not understand how Lot can be seen as righteous in Your eyes, but as a sinner saved by grace, I am thankful for Your grace and compassion. I’m thankful that I do not have to be perfect to be loved by You and used in Your kingdom work. Help me to shine Your light and point others to You. Always. Amen.

Genesis 19:24 Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 19:14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.

Verse 16 is the second time these angelic men physically help Lot. In verse 10 you’ll remember they reached out and physically pulled Lot back in the house. In verse 16 they grasp him by the hand along with grasping the hands of his wife and daughters, leading them safely out of the city. Of course I want to know why.

Genesis 19:15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”

Commentary posits that the “Why” has to do with Abraham’s asking God to spare the city if there are ten righteous people to be found. There are not. Lot and his family are it. What I find interesting is that Lot is considered righteous, even though he is a part of–a leader in–this town set for destruction. That, to me, speaks to the heart and compassion of God.

Genesis 19:16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.

Precious Savior, In so many ways, I am Lot, living with one foot in the world and one foot in Your righteousness. Forgive me. Help me to root myself deeply in You alone. Help me to shine Your light. Help me to draw close to You. Always. Amen.

Genesis 19:17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

Have a blessed day.