From trusting to scheming is the story of Abram in this week’s text. Genesis 12:10 At that time, a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner.[1] Throughout our faith journey, the Lord tests us to reveal what is in our hearts to help us grow. Instead of remaining in the land of Canaan, which the Lord had promised Abram, he went to Egypt with Sarai.
In a figurative sense, Canaan represents the life of faith and trust, while Egypt symbolizes the world and the reliance on oneself. Like Abram, tests and difficulties challenge us to fear. When it comes to following the leading of the Holy Spirit, fear can send us in the wrong direction.
As each of us journeys through life, we face crossroads. At these crossroads, we need to pray for God’s guidance because we don’t know what is ahead, but He does. Fear often causes us to deviate from faith, and anxieties can shift our reliance on God to self-devised schemes. When we begin to recognize that fear is affecting our decisions, it is the first step in moving back toward trusting in God.
Fear’s False Forecast
As Abram’s fear drives him to Egypt, he faces another test regarding his wife. Genesis 12:11 As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’[2]
Often, our fears multiply when we drift away from the Lord. Without the Lord’s guidance, we live in a world of distortions that predict incorrect outcomes. As we trust in the Lord, He provides a clearer perspective during trials, unlike fear, which can blind us. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. [3] Only when we trust the hand that leads us can we have the assurance our heart desires.
Faith’s Lapse and Redemption
Genesis 12:13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” [4] As Abram travels down the path of fear, lying becomes his next strategy, illustrating a lapse in faith. Here, Abram moves from trusting to scheming. When we don’t trust God’s wisdom, we rely on our wisdom to manipulate the circumstances.
The Lord is not shocked when we sin and is not overwhelmed by our blunders. He knows our weaknesses. In reality, Jesus wants to be with us and walk alongside us when we have sinned. Through Jesus, we can receive forgiveness when we repent of our sins. Opt for God’s unwavering faithfulness instead of relying on your own understanding. We have a fantastic God who forgives!
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-faith-meets-fear
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.