Genesis 12:10-20
10 At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. 11 As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”
14 And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai’s beauty. 15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. 16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.
17 But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!”20 Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions.
Have you ever noticed how you can extreme faith in one area of your life and no faith in another. I was in a coffee shop yesterday talking to a friend about a loved one who is very sick and doctor’s are expecting her to pass away soon. He said that he was prepared for her to die, if that is what God wants but that he has faith and will continue to have faith for her until there is no other option. I was amazed by his incredible maturity and belief in such a challenging moment. This was not denial, nor was it blind faith but trust that God will do what is best in the hardest of moments.
We continued the conversation to chat about his own personal journey, career, calling etc. Suddenly he was unsure. He could believe in God for her but not for himself. He had faith here but not there. Like my friend, I find that I can have amazing faith in some areas of my life and then there are others where I really struggle.
Abram was willing to leave everything behind to travel to a promised land where he would be blessed and would bless the nations. Then a few verses later, he is so scared of the Egyptians that he pretends his wife is his sister and allows the Pharaoh to take her as his wife. In one moment he is so courageous and bold, in the next he is a coward.
People are complicated. They are not good or bad. They are not brave or weak. They have moments and shine in some moments and fall apart in others.
Perhaps this is why faith is so hard. There are moments for all of us where we struggle. The key, that Abram missed, is that God is present with us and that we can lean on him in every situation. God had promised Abram descendants and his fear could have sabotaged the whole promise. The plague was a warning to Pharaoh but also to Abram, do not forget that I am with you and will protect you. You are not alone.
If you are facing a moment today that fills you with fear remember this - you are not alone. God is with you. Be bold and courageous.
