Genesis 20:11-15

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

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, Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 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.”

Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelech said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.”

– Genesis 20: 11-15

Devotion

Abraham mistakenly assumed that Abimelech was a wicked man so he quickly decided to tell a half-truth. Maybe Abraham thought it would be more effective to deceive Abimelech than to trust God to work in the King’s life.

How often do we take situations into our own hands and decide what’s best for us and then invite God to come along and bless us? We shouldn’t assume that God won’t work in a situation that appears to have potential problems. We may not completely understand the entire situation with all the variables but we can surely count on God’s abundant promises that he knows the entirety of our situation.

Abraham’s life is an excellent picture of God’s love and faithfulness. We can take a great deal of encouragement and comfort from the patriarchs of the faith.

The Big Question

Think of a situation where you took things into your own hands and really didn’t pray and seek God for the answer. How did that work out? Now think of another time where you totally gave God the situation or problem and bathed it in prayer. How did God show up? Was it the answer you were looking for? How was your faith stretched?

Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.