God has His own definite plan for each one of us. Being sensitive of God’s plan for us and cooperating with Him to fulfil His plan in our lives, will enable us to lead a purpose driven life. No matter what happens, He does all that He can in order to fulfill His will and plan in our lives. Our thought for reflection this Friday day morning is, “Our God perseveres to fulfill His plan”.
Then God said to him (Abimelech) in the dream,
“Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her”.
(Genesis 20:6)
Fearing that there would be danger to his own life, Abraham introduced Sarah again as his sister in Gerar just as he had earlier introduced her in Genesis 12:10-13. Instead of trusting God to keep him and Sarah together, he devised his own plan to ensure their safety. But this plan of Abraham not only subjected Sarah to the danger of becoming Abimelech’s wife but also was about to jeopardize God’s promise to Abraham to bless him with a son. Abraham ignored God’s promise because of his misguided fear about his own safety. But God did not give up easily. That speaks volumes of God’s perseverance to fulfil His plan in Abraham’s life.
1. God prevented Abimelech from having any relationship with Sarah.
Though Abraham’s unwise act subjected Sarah to danger, God intervened through a dream and warned Abimelech of committing the sin of having any relationship with Sarah. God said,
“You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman"
(Genesis 20:3).
Abraham who had lied in the past to escape danger from a powerful ruler who was attracted to his wife did not see any reason to change his tactics. Even though Abraham stumbled again as he had stumbled before, God who wanted to fulfil His promise to Abraham to bless him with Isaac, intervened in His own way. Are we constantly taking decisions and doing things in ways contrary to God’s plan?
2. God protected Sarah from Abimelech and restored her back to Abraham.
God who was determined to bless the nations through Abraham’s heir, revealed to Abimelech of His divine role in keeping Sarah safe. He said,
“…I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Now return the man’s wife…”
(Genesis 20:6-7a).
God also warned Abimelech of the consequences of not restoring Sarah to Abraham:
“But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all yours will die”
(Genesis 20:7b).
Do we realize that in spite of some of our wrong acts and decisions God has been graciously protecting us from facing worst consequences and dangers?
Whenever we disappoint our colleagues, peers and bosses they immediately write us off. But it is not true with God. What an encouragement and comfort it is to know that in spite of our constant failures and attempts to move away from the centre of God’s will, He has not given up on us. God’s perseverance with Abraham gives us the hope that He would fulfil His will and plan in our lives too. His constant intervention and protection have kept us within His reach. This morning, shall we commit ourselves into His Holy hands and cooperate with Him so that He may fulfil His perfect will and plan in our lives?
Blessed day and fruitful weekend!