Today we meet Abram. Here was a man who was told by God that he would become a great nation. I don't know about you, but that would have scared me. I wonder if I would have believed God so easily. Here's this voice just speaking to me. I might be tempted to look for proof. Yet Abram just went. He left his family and everything he knew and went on this adventure with God.
The Bible also shows us Abram's humanity, which is good because I can relate to that being human part. When going into Egypt, Abram was just scared. Scared that the Egyptians would kill him and take his beautiful wife. So what did he do? He lied to them and said Sarai was his sister. Well, I guess it wasn't a total lie. Sarai was his half-sister. But Abram's intent was to deceive the Egyptians.
I think of how often fear causes all of us to do something we know isn't right. But what are we more afraid of -- what people think or what God thinks? I know which one should be more important, but that's not always what I follow. Abram didn't trust in God's protection when he entered Egypt. But God shows us that his protection was still there. Pharoah and his household got really sick, letting Abram and Sarai move on. God is faithful even when we're not.
We also get introduced to Lot today. I'm not so sure about Abram's nephew. He seemed to always want the best for himself without thinking of others. Abram offers him his choice of land when they need to divide their camps. And Lot picks the green pastures with lots of water. Yet sometimes those pastures may look the best, but they're not. In this case, they included the wickedness and temptations of Sodom. Next thing you know, he's a prisoner of war. The lesson for me: Choose what God thinks is best, not just what looks pretty or easy.
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I agree that I also need to choose what God says is best for me. This reminds me of a saying that I am constantly repeating to myself - "Men plan and God laughs." I am always reminding myself that I need to let God lead and not lead myself...it's a daily struggle!
I have read about Abram before in a Beth Moore series that was fabulous and really dived into Abraham and Sarah - if you like this story I recommend it. I can't remember what it is called off hand but if you are interested let me know and I will find out the study name.
I am surprised the Pharaoh didn’t kill Abram for deceiving him about Sari being his sister not a wife. I am also surprised Sari didn’t get pregnant with the Pharaoh. More ways that God was looking out for them!
I am on track with the reading! Day 5. I like the straight through method better than the way we tried last year. I also like the blogs and the comments too!! It feels like we are reading more interactively!!
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