God Works with Our Weakness


Genesis 12:10–13 (ESV) Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.”

 On the surface of things, this moment in Abram's life is really bad. He totally gives in to the pressure of the circumstances by fleeing to Egypt. Then he connives his way to prosperity even using his wife as some kind of "slave-trade" leverage. He failed God. No doubt about it. 

 But let's be honest, Abram has been facing some severe pressures... and having nothing to eat was the last straw. 
- He lost his father.
- He left his homeland.
- He couldn't settle anywhere.
- He was surrounded by strangers.
- His greedy nephew Lot is with him.
- His wife was barren.

 Abram was going through some really big challenges AS he followed the voice of God. And when push came to shove over his meal, the big guy caved. He went to Egypt (a metaphor for sin and regression of faith) and he pimps out his wife.

 We could jump all over this if we didn't do the exact same thing.

The reality is this life of faith is going to test us from multiple angles in many ways we don't expect or plan for. And then the last straw comes along... What will we do?

We will probably fail God just like Abram. We will probably do something we wouldn't like recorded in God's Word! Then stories like this will make us feel better because we will learn we aren't the only ones who fail!

No, there was only one man who totally succeeded and we are not Him.

But God has mercy on Abram. He speaks to the man who takes his wife and rebukes him for Abram's sake. Abram actually come out better on the back side of the whole event. It was wrong, but God blessed him and protected him through it.

God had mercy on Abram, God has mercy on us too! One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 103. It says:
Psalm 103:13–14 (ESV) As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

God knows we are weak. This is why he's merciful when we doubt. Thomas doubted and Jesus went out of his way to prove it was He! I'm thankful God doesn't cast us off when we slip up or cave in at some moments of our lives. Yes, we can be strong in the Lord, but all of us have a breaking point. God knows where it is... and He won't be surprised... and He tends to love the broken.

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