Trust & Obey

One-Year Bible: 01/06/2023

Genesis 13:5-15:21

Trust and Obey

Life is full of “Steps” and “Missteps”... Ask Abram and Sarai.

We know them as Abraham and Sarah, as God changed their name and destiny, but it didn’t start out that way.

God called Abram, at the age of 75, to leave his home country after his father passed away. Abram’s name meant “Exalted Father.” That must have been a humiliating name, as his wife was barren, and they had no children. Sarai’s name meant “Princess,” which fits as she was used to “calling the shots.”

In renewing the covenant and giving a sign for the future of all mankind, God also gave Abram and Sarai NEW NAMES. Both name changes signified a NEW IDENTITY and a NEW REALITY.

First, God CALLED them, and then He ENABLED them.

We remember Abraham and Sarah, but what do you know of Abram and Sarai?

Abram and Sarai made some “Big Missteps” while growing into their new names, new calling, and new reality…

Abram immediately left his home to follow God’s calling, but he had not yet learned to “follow God” by seeking him in all his decisions. Some of Abraham’s decisions “cost him” big time!

First, Abram arrived in Egypt and noticed everyone staring at Sarai’s beauty. When the palace officials saw her, they “sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. (12:10ff)

Abram was so afraid that they would kill him so that they could take his wife that he had asked Sarai to lie and say that she was his sister. This lie resulted in Pharaoh and his household being sent terrible plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

In essence, God was saying, “Keep your hands off!”

This was MISSTEP #1, and it was a Doozy!

Next, Sarai came up with a plan to help God along with His promise to make Abram “An Exalted Father.”

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. So, Saria said to Abram, ‘The LORD has PREVENTED me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant/ Perhaps I can have children through her.’ And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal.” (Gen. 16:1-2)

Abram’s second misstep was when he agreed with this FLAWED plan!

Had God given them a promise but then PREVENTED her from having children?

Like many of us, Abram WALKED ahead of God when he encountered his fears.

Both Abram and Sarai had lots of missteps, and there were some pretty huge consequences for Sarai’s rush to seek an alternative to having a son rather than waiting on God.

But, in spite of everything, God would fulfill His promise. Even in spite of them.

There is an old hymn that I often hear in my head and heart when I try to make hard decisions, “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word. What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.” (Trust and Obey, Daniel B. Towner)

Abram and Sarai left their home through faith but walked “Ahead of God” through their fears.

May we instead choose to “Trust and Obey”.