Abraham feared for his life, and he asked Sarah his wife to call him a brother to confuse King Abimelech. The man thought Abimelech’s people might take his wife and kill him. However, Abraham who thought he was smart to lie in an attempt to protect his identity had failed to realize that his God was able to protect him from all evils.
The story of Abraham’s irrational decision to hide his identity was reported, “Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will you slay a righteous nation also? Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.” And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against me; therefore I did not let you touch her. Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours” (Genesis 20:2-7).
Lesson:
Christians must understand that our God is ever able to protect us from our enemies. No matter what situation comes our way, God will protect us, and he will also glorify himself. Therefore, instead of any believer entertaining doubt and/or seeking ungodly alternative solutions, he should exercise faith. He should remind himself of the promises of God that are listed in the bible to edify his faith.
The scripture states, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). God is well and able to take care of his children. He will rescue us in time of trouble. Irrespective of source and occurrence, and whether the mistakes come from us or others, God will still be God; he will come to the aids of his people to glorify himself. Hence, believers must rest assured in God always. We must make a profession of faith with full expectations. God’s victory is sure over us since “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Prayer:
Dear God, please teach me how to trust you during adversity. Help me to express my absolute trust in you always. Increase my faith to always profess a statement of faith during adversity. Give me the strength to declare “I know my God whom I serve, and he will deliver me from every lion and every goliath of life.” Please turn my tough situation around to become my testimony so that unbelievers can hear it and tremble. Let my faith remain firm in you so that I can continue to declare your testimony of goodness in the land of the living. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
