2023_02_10 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- Genesis 12, Matthew 1:1-17, Genesis 14, Romans 4
Twenty years ago, my husband and I were in the market to buy a house. We found one that checked all the boxes. It was a new build, in a good location, what could go wrong? The problem was when I prayed, I got an unmistakable uneasy feeling. God was trying to get my attention, buying this house was not a good idea, but we paid the non-refundable deposit anyway. Two days later, my husband lost his job! Fortunately, it was a holiday weekend. There was a grace period that allowed us to get our money back, and six weeks later, we moved to Virginia. I had gone ahead of God, but God knew the bigger picture. In His mercy, He took care of us.
In Genesis 12 this week, Abram goes ahead of God. God tells Abram:
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on the earth will be blessed by you.”
But a famine in the land drives Abram and his wife Sarai to Egypt. Sarai is a 65 year old woman with exceptional beauty, and Abram thinks that in Egypt he will be killed and Sarai’s life will be spared. Abram lies and tells Pharoah that Sarai is his sister. Sarai is taken as one of Pharoah’s wives, and Abram is richly rewarded in return.
God has a much bigger plan for Abram and Sarai, one that does not end with Sarai living in the house of Pharoah. Sarai is to give birth to Isaac, who will become the father of Jacob, whose family line will include Ruth, King David, and 42 generations later, Jesus. God’s hand was on Abram and Sarai, and nothing could stop His plan. God sends diseases to Pharoah’s household, and Pharoah lets Sarai go.
Jerimiah 29:11 is currently the second most popular bible verse. It says:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God can see your bigger picture. If God’s nature is good, then He can be trusted. While Jerimiah 29:11 is not a promise of a perfect life, it is a promise of a life of purpose when we are submitted to God’s will. Abram attempted to override God’s will, but God had the gift of Jesus to give us, and nothing could stop His plan!
Prayer of Abandonment
By Blessed Charles de Foucuald
Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
For I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
To surrender myself into your hands without reserve,
And with boundless confidence,
For you are my Father.
In Jesus name
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead