This week we’re looking at the story of Sarah and Abraham. Read the full story here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+12%3B+15%3A1-6%3B+Genesis+21&version=GNT
There are many parts of this story we could focus on, but today I want to think about the part where they went to cross the border to Egypt and Abraham told Sarah to not tell folks that she was his wife. Sarah was to tell them that them that she was his sister so that they both may live.
It’s quite possible that this was a reality. That if their relationship was revealed, Abraham may have been killed and Sarah may have lived. Here are the things I wonder about:
But then in Chapter 15, we read of the covenant God made with Abraham – God would shield him from danger and give a great reward.
How much trust do you put in God in your daily activities? I know that for some, it is easier to tell a small lie to someone instead of telling them the truth for various reasons… but what if we trusted that God would shield us, too, from danger… what if we trusted that God would also shield the other from danger. What if we trusted ourselves and each other enough to tell each other (and ourselves) some hard truths? An example: what if someone asked us how we were and instead of saying ‘fine’ we answered truthfully. What if we truly told them what was going on in our lives? And if it’s someone you wouldn’t open up to like that, why? What is it about them that has you holding back? What is it about what’s going on in your life that’s holding you back from sharing? Trust is a very big thing and it’s a real thing to recognize. For humans, we understand that trust is earned. Maybe since our early years we have been groomed to be careful of who we trust, and for good reason. But what if we could trust everyone from the time we met them? Would it impact how we are in the world?
I found a video that was done by the Mississippi Mass Choir called “Trust in the Lord”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nJQD4L3aLA
In summary the lyrics are:
If you trust in the Lord, He’ll make a way
If you kneel down and pray, He’ll make a way
If you call on Jesus, He’ll make a way
If you look to the hills, He’ll make a way
He’ll make a way for you
A prayer for us today:
Loving God, help us to trust. Help us to trust You, ourselves and each other. This is a very hard thing to do because we have been disappointed by people and their actions and maybe even ourselves. Where we have put up walls, help to break them down and make a way for us. Guide us. Direct us. Hold us. Love us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
There are many parts of this story we could focus on, but today I want to think about the part where they went to cross the border to Egypt and Abraham told Sarah to not tell folks that she was his wife. Sarah was to tell them that them that she was his sister so that they both may live.
It’s quite possible that this was a reality. That if their relationship was revealed, Abraham may have been killed and Sarah may have lived. Here are the things I wonder about:
- I wonder if this deception was directed by God. The story does not say anything about it. And off the top of my head, I’m not remembering any story where God tells someone to deceive another.
- I wonder what would have happened if they were truthful. Would the possible outcome have happened or would God have stepped in?
- I wonder what the relationship between the king and Abraham might have been if he was truthful. Would it have lasted longer instead of being forced out of the country?
But then in Chapter 15, we read of the covenant God made with Abraham – God would shield him from danger and give a great reward.
How much trust do you put in God in your daily activities? I know that for some, it is easier to tell a small lie to someone instead of telling them the truth for various reasons… but what if we trusted that God would shield us, too, from danger… what if we trusted that God would also shield the other from danger. What if we trusted ourselves and each other enough to tell each other (and ourselves) some hard truths? An example: what if someone asked us how we were and instead of saying ‘fine’ we answered truthfully. What if we truly told them what was going on in our lives? And if it’s someone you wouldn’t open up to like that, why? What is it about them that has you holding back? What is it about what’s going on in your life that’s holding you back from sharing? Trust is a very big thing and it’s a real thing to recognize. For humans, we understand that trust is earned. Maybe since our early years we have been groomed to be careful of who we trust, and for good reason. But what if we could trust everyone from the time we met them? Would it impact how we are in the world?
I found a video that was done by the Mississippi Mass Choir called “Trust in the Lord”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nJQD4L3aLA
In summary the lyrics are:
If you trust in the Lord, He’ll make a way
If you kneel down and pray, He’ll make a way
If you call on Jesus, He’ll make a way
If you look to the hills, He’ll make a way
He’ll make a way for you
A prayer for us today:
Loving God, help us to trust. Help us to trust You, ourselves and each other. This is a very hard thing to do because we have been disappointed by people and their actions and maybe even ourselves. Where we have put up walls, help to break them down and make a way for us. Guide us. Direct us. Hold us. Love us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.