it’s Genesis 20:1-18 today.
Australian 
Shane Watson is a brilliant cricketer. He is considered an all-rounder, able to both bat and bowl and is the only player to have won Player of the Year awards is all formats of the game. In view of his many successes, it’s surprising that this summer there was a campaign in Australia to have him dropped from the test team. The reason was his tendency to be given out lbw (leg before wicket). He has been out lbw in 26.6% of his innings, the highest in rate for a Test batsman to have played more than 100 innings in history. It’s sad to see someone repeating the same mistake but it’s a problem shared by many of us and as we shall see in today’s reading; by Abraham.
Thoughts
Abraham has been doing so well and we have seen real signs of someone growing in their faith, which makes it all the more sad that he should have this relapse. We have been here before in chapter 12 when Abraham was in Egypt and claimed that Sarah was his sister. It had almost brought disaster then and it is difficult to see any way this could have ended well this time without the Lord’s intervention.
What was he thinking? In truth, it appears he wasn’t thinking at all. He had been living by faith but now he was living in fear. It was time to hold on to the very specific promises that the Lord and made to him. After many years of waiting, he would finally have a child with Sarah within a year. He was so close to receiving the promise but fear had filled his mind. There’s an obvious application for us, to fix our eyes more closely on Jesus and hold on to the promises.
In the midst of Abraham’s failure we can see God’s faithfulness. He didn’t reject Abraham because he had failed; he led him through it. God was even gracious to Abimelech, warning him in a dream of the dire consequences of his intended actions.
If there is a message to take from this passage it is this; God is faithful. He knows our flaws and failings but he still loves us. When we fall, he is able to restore.
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 27:23-24)
Reflections
Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me. (One thing Remains – Jesus Culture)
