THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Tony was three years old today. Grandmother came over and brought him a gift. When he opened the gift, it was a water pistol.
Tony squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink. But his mother looked at grandmother and said, "Mom, I'm surprised you would by Tony a water pistol. Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with our water guns?"
Her mother smiled gently and said, "Yes.....I do..."
*********************************************************************************************
Gen 20:1-6
1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
KJV
*********************************************************************************************
Three observations from this Scripture today.
1) God provides protection for His children.
Abraham lied AGAIN! Seems he didn't learn his lesson last time with this lie.
Abraham feared for his life. Is this the same man who fought and rescued Lot from four kings?! (See Genesis 14) How could he be so fearless concerning his nephew and so fearful concerning his own wife?
He allowed his emotions to overcome his relationship with God and made a bad decision. Christian, you never have that problem do you? Let us always strive to make our decisions based upon God's Word, and not upon our emotions. See how God protected Abraham according to His promises.
2) Lost people cannot blame sin on hypocritical Christians.
Did you notice that God actually appeared to Abimelech? WOW! Abraham thought Abimelech was surely a sinner who didn't know God; but God APPEARED to him in a dream! God also appeared to Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. Just because a person doesn't live and act like you do, doesn't mean they don't know God.
Now, Abimelech blamed Abraham for the problem. He said Abraham LIED, that's why he acted the way he did. God corrected that attitude quickly.
No person can claim innocence, or lack of knowledge of God, just because a Christian failed in his/her duties. There shall be many, I fear, at judgment day, who will claim innocence. They will claim they couldn't SEE Christ because the Christians were such hypocrites. But that dog won't hunt! God is showing truth and exposing evil to ALL people, even today!
3) God is restraining evil in the world today.
One more point about this story, God told Abimelech, "I withheld thee...." The world would be a WHOLE lot worse today if God wasn't withholding (or restraining) evil!
Yes, this world is a mess! But it isn't nearly the mess it would be if God weren't restraining mankind from sin! (See 2Thessalonians 2:5-10)
Love ya,
Bruce