Genesis 20:8-18 – Rock of my faith!
….. Read Genesis 20:8-18
Then Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. Genesis v.17
You might read the entire chapter again, for clarity. 
Do you feel anything like ”gravity” in this situation – in the way this story about Abraham’s faithlessness is unfolding, again? Sometimes, when we are honest, it feels as though - the force that has us firmly attached to this physical earth – is pulling even our “eternal” purpose” – literally to the ground? I mean, think about it this way for a second – - – what makes us unique - as Christians – as God’s children – is that we have an eternal purpose, right? Abraham sure had an eternal purpose, didn’t he – at least, that’s the way the “story” goes, right? – - – I can’t help feeling that in this chapter of Abraham’s walk – he must have been feeling the same sort of – “gravitational pull” – the human condition – pulling his “eternal purpose” – to the ground, as it were. The same sort of feeling I sometimes have - when I find myself “tied down”, as it were – to this old earth and beyond that – my humanity keeps getting in the way, of my eternal purpose, if I believe I have one. I know there are lots of moments in my life when that sort of “gravitational pull” – seems “heavy” on me. Maybe you feel it too, on occassion.
And while I am much more comfortable when I think that others see me as: “self-accomplished, mature and independent, or possibly even as a “spiritual-rock”, of sorts … upon which others might even, lean” – - – I find myself more often than not, wishing that my “testimony” before the world (how others see Christ, in me – or not) wasn’t so very flawed – - – and I am all too aware - of how human I am - and that I am no “spiritual rock”!
Consider further, that while it is certainly important that we live lives that are as consistent as humanly possible, with the Will and the Word of our Father – I suppose, sometimes we might actually misuse this truth - maybe to avoid responsibility. I mean, sometimes I actually find myself inclined to keep silent about my faith in Christ because I fear that my “testimony” has been so poor – that others might not want to trust Jesus. Sometimes the “message” of my life falls very short of what I “testify” about with my lips and my life - and so, I keep silent about my faith in Christ. Ever been there?
Do you feel the “gravity” of this situation? …. Am I making any sense?
Hmmm?
I once heard a story about a true believer who was saved – no joke – through the testimony of a drunken sailor! This fella, when he was an unbeliever, had scolded a drunken Christian for his behavior. The drunk protested – that even though he knew that he was a “discredit” to his Lord, he was never-the-less - eternally saved and secure! This fella, well he could not imagine how such a thing could be truth. But because of the certainty of this drunken Christian about his spiritual security, this fella – well, he studied the Scriptures for himself, to see if this could be true – and as grace would have it, as a result, he was saved! - to one degree or another – because of the ”testimony” of a drunken sailor.
Now I suppose, that while I should certainly strive to live in such a way, as to create an interest in that which makes me unique as a Christian – an eternal purpose – I may, more often than not – fail to realize – that the “gravitational pull” of all of my human failures – does not necessarily – prevent others from being drawn to Christ, as their Savior. What I am trying to get at is that - One thing seems to keep jumping out at me, about Abraham and his walk of faith – - – and that is that even at the very low moments in our Christian experience – our God can use us to draw others to Himself!! Hello! The daily walk with God – isn’t about me at all – it is all about my God – my Lord and Savior!!!
Read Genesis 20 again and consider the “gravity” of the situation!
What a humbling experience it must have been for Abraham to intercede on behalf of Abimelech. Talk about a sense of “gravity” – not to mention, unworthiness – that must have come over him, as his humanity got so very much, in the way of his eternal purpose – and in plain view of those around him! I mean, I can only imagine that Abraham too, much like me – must have felt, to some degree or another - very uncomfortable, that instead of others seeing him as: “self-accomplished, mature and independent, or possibly even as a “spiritual-rock”, of sorts … upon which others might even, lean” – - – they saw him instead - as he truly was. A human, a liar – flawed and imperfect in his faith. Not as a spiritual rock, at all!
Hmmmm?
I suppose, what I am learning from walking with Abraham – in his daily walk of imperfect faith – is that – to be sure – the Rock of my faith is not me! It is, indeed, my Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ!
My prayer, continues to be – Father, that you continue to bless my walk – with your incredible grace, my great God! Saving Grace – that works in the midst of sin and ignorance, arrogance and willfulness. My ”testimony” is never worthy of Your goodness and greatness. My sin is a constant reminder - of my true position – and my need for You! I strive to live every moment in continuing hope that you will finally lead my wandering feet into the path of truth and discipleship. Amen
April 03 2010 04:58 pm | Fathering Moments - The Daily Walk and Living in the Word