Crossed Up

I have met people before and we simple “hit it off” right away. We connect in a friendly way, yet somehow a level of genuine respect is clearly inferred. There are other times when there is an early disagreement that seems to “start things off on the wrong foot”. As time goes on, we can often get things repaired and back on track. I think this only happens when there is a willingness on the part of both people involved. I’ve met people who simply don’t like me because of a title I have, or a position that I hold. They may not even know me, but they still don’t like me. As far as it is up to me, I try to “get along” with others. I can disagree with another person’s position without berating them or their character. If a person has become a known liar or a dishonest person, I’m walking very carefully around them.

Abraham had told people around this new country of Gerar that Sarah (his wife) was actually his sister. The king of Gerar sent for her, I’m assuming to become a mistress of the king. Evidently this was common in this land. The Lord intervenes to protect Sarah and Abraham. The Lord appears to Abimelech in a vivid dream. Check this out…

³ But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!”

⁴ But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? ⁵ Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.”

⁶ In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. ⁷ Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.” (Genesis 20:3-7 NLT)

Abimlech returned Sarah to Abraham the next day and asked Abraham to pray over his land and his people. He also blessed Abraham with gifts and apologized. He also told Abraham that he could live in his land wherever he chose. Check this out…

¹⁷ Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children. ¹⁸ For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah. (Genesis 20:17-18 NLT)

I picked up a few take-a-ways from this encounter between Abraham and Abimelech.

1. Always tell the truth and trust God with the details
2. Ask God to protect me from those trying to harm me
3. Ask God to keep me from sinful behavior
4. Talk to the Lord daily about how to live life in a way that displays respect for others

As far as it depends upon me, I don’t want to be “crossways” with others. I want to live and serve in a way that shows genuine respect for others.

Pressing On!

Dwayne