“Abram said…Do me a favor: tell them you’re my sister. Because of you, they’ll welcome me and let me live.” – Genesis 12:13 MSG
In life we will all experience fears. The fear may come at us in various forms some can even cripple us for life. Fear can influence us to do things we would never consider to do and even forget the promises and assurances of God. Have you ever hastily made a decision based off of fear? As you meditate on circumstances, people, or other pressures, before you know it you make a rash decision. I am reminded of the story of the child who had done poorly on a school exam. He knew that he would have to have his parent sign the failed test; as the day went by the anxiety built up and fear consumed his mind. As time passed by a plan began to formulate in his mind. He would forge his mother’s signature, and she would never know. Unfortunately the child didn’t know what his parent’s signature looked like. Once he got home and the evening went on he came up to his parent and out of the blue asked “Mom, how do you write your name.” The deceptive plan was in motion as he took the signature and with great artistry he forged the signature. The next day after recess to his surprise his mother was at the school and when he got home a punishment was waiting for him.
God had asked Abram to leave his father’s household and Abram obediently took his family and his household on the journey of a lifetime. While on that journey God appeared to Abram as noted in Genesis 12:7 where we read “The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.” As Abram traveled he built another alter and spent time worshiping God. Abram was blessed richly in his travels, even though famine and opposition arose. On day God lead Abram to Egypt. Even though God’s promises were evident and Abram knew God was with him, fear crept in. Fear that because of his wife’s beauty he could lose his life. His fear caused him to scheme, and Abram’s masterful plan was put into effect. Abram intended on misleading Pharaoh by saying that Sarai was Abram’s sister. Consequently, in the near future Pharaoh found out about Abram’s deceitful plan and God stepped in to teach Abram a lesson about trust, and fear.
The truth was that God was with Abram, fear had blinded Abram of God’s promises and plan. God’s hand of protection was upon Abram no matter what he did. One Abram’s fears came true when Pharaoh found out that Sarai was indeed his wife, but God proved that He was with Abram as He was Abram’s protection and provision.
We will all be confronted with fears in this life, but don’t allow your fears to blind you of all that God has promised for your life. We will all make mistakes, but God will always teach us in His love.
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” -Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
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