Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Ripple Effect” – Tuesday, 22 July 2014 - Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Ripple Effect” – Tuesday, 22 July 2014 - Scripture: Genesis 20: 1-2 Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She’s my sister.”
2-3 So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, “You’re as good as dead—that woman you took, she’s a married woman.”
4-5 Now Abimelech had not yet slept with her, hadn’t so much as touched her. He said, “Master, would you kill an innocent man? Didn’t he tell me, ‘She’s my sister’? And didn’t she herself say, ‘He’s my brother’? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong when I did this.”
6-7 God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that’s why I kept you from sinning against me; I was the one who kept you from going to bed with her. So now give the man’s wife back to him. He’s a prophet and will pray for you—pray for your life. If you don’t give her back, know that it’s certain death both for you and everyone in your family.”
8-9 Abimelech was up first thing in the morning. He called all his house servants together and told them the whole story. They were shocked. Then Abimelech called in Abraham and said, “What have you done to us? What have I ever done to you that you would bring on me and my kingdom this huge offense? What you’ve done to me ought never to have been done.”
10 Abimelech went on to Abraham, “Whatever were you thinking of when you did this thing?”
11-13 Abraham said, “I just assumed that there was no fear of God in this place and that they’d kill me to get my wife. Besides, the truth is that she is my half sister; she’s my father’s daughter but not my mother’s. When God sent me out as a wanderer from my father’s home, I told her, ‘Do me a favor; wherever we go, tell people that I’m your brother.’”
14-15 Then Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham, and along with her sent sheep and cattle and servants, both male and female. He said, “My land is open to you; live wherever you wish.”
16 And to Sarah he said, “I’ve given your brother a thousand pieces of silver—that clears you of even a shadow of suspicion before the eyes of the world. You’re vindicated.”
17-18 Then Abraham prayed to God and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his maidservants, and they started having babies again. For God had shut down every womb in Abimelech’s household on account of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. 
“The Ripple Effect” by Lisa Mueller
Abraham’s fears tended to repeat themselves. As a result, this caused problems for its victims. Twice Abraham tried to lie about Sarah, claiming she was his sister instead of his wife (Genesis 12 and 20). Does he deserve credit because it is a half-truth? Probably not; in both cases, God moves swiftly to protect and preserve Sarah. What a blessing to watch God's intervention and it si so common.
When we are afraid, we can also act deceptively. Call it what you will; self-preservation, cowardice, selfishness, or greed, it often stems from fear. We sometimes find ourselves victims of others' deception and fears. Wrong information and exageration can cause us to react in ways we otherwise would never have considered. God, in His mercy, provides for us even then. Because King Abimelek had a pure motive, God divinely intervened and prevented him from sinning.

This brings me great comfort, and I hope it does to you. When our hearts are pure, God’s power helps us avoid sin. Abimelek was not destined to sin because of Abraham’s lie. In the same way, we are not destined to sin, or even excused to sin, when someone deceives or lies to us. Thank you, Lord, for this provision!
Hymn for Today:
“Jesus Will Walk with Me” by Haldor Lillenas, copyright 1922, renewed 1950 by Lillenas Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
1. Jesus will walk with me down thru the valley,
Jesus will walk with me over the plain;
When in the shadow or when in the sunshine,
If He goes with me I shall not complain.
Refrain:
Jesus will walk with me,
He will talk with me;
He will walk with me;
In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,
I know He will walk with me.
2. Jesus will walk with me when I am tempted,
Giving me strength as my need may demand;
When in affliction His presence is near me,
I am upheld by His almighty hand.
Refrain:
Jesus will walk with me,
He will talk with me;
He will walk with me;
In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,
I know He will walk with me.
3. Jesus will walk with me, guarding me ever,
Giving me victory thru storm and thru strife;
He is my Comforter, Counselor, Leader,
Over the uneven journey of life.
Refrain:
Jesus will walk with me,
He will talk with me;
He will walk with me;
In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,
I know He will walk with me.
4. Jesus will walk with me in life’s fair morning,
And when the shadows of evening must come;
Living or dying, He will not forsake me.
Jesus will walk with me all the way home.
Refrain:
Jesus will walk with me,
He will talk with me;
He will walk with me;
In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,
I know He will walk with me.
Thought for Today:
“Those who are given to white lies soon become color blind”(Lunn Log)
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in the Republic of South Sudan!
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