PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Genesis 19-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live.” (Genesis 20:7)
What strikes me in these stories is how twisted and flawed the ‘heroes’ are.
Lot offering his daughters to the men of Sodom, his daughters impregnated by their dad.
And Abraham still can’t trust God to protect his covenant wife Sarah (see Genesis 12).
Yet God aligns himself in covenant with these people.
God designed this world to be led by humans (Genesis 1:26-28).
After human rebellion, God decided to keep working with/through humans.
But now God has to work with what we are, and we can get pretty twisted.
God’s rescue operation depends on flawed partners to save the world.
But as flawed partners, we cannot save the world; we only spread the mess.
Jesus is the one exception, uniquely born (like Adam and Eve), a fresh start.
He is a prophet unlike any other, who intercedes for us so that we will live.
Jesus, not Abraham, not Moses, not Peter, not me… Jesus is our only hope.
And because of Jesus, God continues to work through flawed servants like us.
Even through our twisted stories, God can bring healing and hope to the world.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for stepping in to be the perfect prophet to beat Satan and sin and reclaimed creation for God for us. Thank you for reminding me that my flaws do not disqualify me.
‘There is surely no fear of God in this place” – that’s what Abraham thought of Abimelech – but God connected with Abimelech and made him fear. Abraham and Lot both doubted God’s protection yet God came through. I am no different, I try to do it my way – not trusting fully in God’s provision. There is fear of God when God shows up – I need to work in partnership with God the Holy Spirit – touching lives so that they may fear/trust God – to find Jesus so that they too may find life. Lord help me to trust not in my own skills but in you!
God moves in mysterious ways His wonders, His purposes to fulfill. Abimelek heard he voice of the Lord and acted upon that voice. Abraham listened to his own voice when he entered the land. I need to listen to His voice each day. Have Thine own way Lord. Lead me and guide me dail n the way I need to walk. Help me daily to wlk in Your ‘SonShine.’
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.