An Unstoppable Story
Posted by Karah
Pause
Even as Christians, we falter and stumble as we walk with God. We often react out of fear rather than resting in and trusting God’s promises.
Read Genesis 12:10-20 in your Bible for an example from Abram’s life. Dig a little deeper with the questions below.
“When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live. Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account.” —Genesis 12:11-13
Abram’s faith was immediately tested by a famine. Yet, the text doesn’t fault Abram for making the trip. If that wasn’t his act of disobedience, what was? Explain.
This episode from Abram’s life shows us that God will not allow His promises to be jeopardized, even in the face of our failures or a momentary lack of faith. How do you see that in this passage? How have you seen it in your own life?
Think about times when you’ve faltered in your faith or let sin take hold in your life. How does this story give you hope? Explain.
The Point
Nothing can thwart God’s plans, not even our failures.
Respond
Motivated by fear, Abram crafted a plan of action based on his circumstances rather than God’s promises. Think on that as you meditate on these questions:
How am I living out of fear rather than trusting God to do what He has said?
In what situations am I most tempted to rely on myself than what God has said?
How do I see those choices affecting my life? My relationship with God? My relationships with others?
Do I have a Christian friend who has stumbled in his or her faith and is allowing guilt and shame keep him or her from growing in Christ? What steps will I take this week to share the hope of this passage with him or her? List two.
Behind the Story
Sadly, this incident with Pharaoh wasn’t the only time Abram lied about Sarai being his wife. Genesis 20 records a similar incident with King Abimilech of Gerar that reveals much about Abram’s rationale and premeditated deception. Abram’s son, Isaac, also followed in his father’s footsteps, passing his wife Rebekah off as his sister to another King Abimelech in Genesis 26.
Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions