26 February 2019
Oil & Water
Genesis 20:11-13 NLT
Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ 12 And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. 13 When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”
When we tell white lies and half truths, we are only thinking of ourselves and our own momentary discomfort. In Genesis 20, Abraham, the Father of Faith, is caught telling a half truths, and the results were potentially devastating for others.
But the most interesting part of the lesson in this story for me is in verse 13. In the span of a single sentence Abraham declares faith and obedience to God (When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place...) and equal faith and obedience to his own plan. (I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother...)
This is more destructive behavior than a barrel of half truths. We can’t blend God’s will with our own. They just don’t mix.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:5-7 NLT)
Dear God,
I have so many ideas that I think would serve me well. Please intervene as they conflict with your will and my desire to obey you. Help me check my plans at the door of my heart today. I do NOT wish to waver and divide my loyalty between your perfect will and my “helping” you - that isn’t what you need from me at all. Thank you that you know I’m like this, and you graciously and generously give me the wisdom I need for today. I love you and thank you and pray in your Son’s name, amen.
Oil & Water
Genesis 20:11-13 NLT
Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ 12 And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. 13 When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”
When we tell white lies and half truths, we are only thinking of ourselves and our own momentary discomfort. In Genesis 20, Abraham, the Father of Faith, is caught telling a half truths, and the results were potentially devastating for others.
But the most interesting part of the lesson in this story for me is in verse 13. In the span of a single sentence Abraham declares faith and obedience to God (When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place...) and equal faith and obedience to his own plan. (I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother...)
This is more destructive behavior than a barrel of half truths. We can’t blend God’s will with our own. They just don’t mix.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:5-7 NLT)
Dear God,
I have so many ideas that I think would serve me well. Please intervene as they conflict with your will and my desire to obey you. Help me check my plans at the door of my heart today. I do NOT wish to waver and divide my loyalty between your perfect will and my “helping” you - that isn’t what you need from me at all. Thank you that you know I’m like this, and you graciously and generously give me the wisdom I need for today. I love you and thank you and pray in your Son’s name, amen.
RSS Feed