I have lately been fascinated with the life of Abraham. This is in some ways a pragmatic fascination because I have been faced with some major decisions in my life. I have had to make decisions that force me to strike out on my own into foreign territory, leaving the familiar behind. At the same time, I’ve been pastoring other people through similar adventures in their own lives.
Abraham is a fascinating character. He is remembered in the New Testament as a bastion of faith. Certainly this is true of him, but when you study his story you find that there were several moments where he lost faith. In matter of fact, he completely failed. Twice he lied about his wife saying that she was his sister. This lie resulted on one occasion with his wife being brought into the harem of Pharoah. The same would have happened with Abimelech had God not revealed to him that Sarah was in fact married to Abraham.
Despite the obvious failure of these events, God bailed Abraham out each time. Not only that, but Abraham walked away blessed.
The reason is simple. God had made a covenant with Abraham and He meant to keep it. Even if Abraham made attempts to derail his own destiny, his destiny was in God’s hands.
God not only owns the promise, but He also owns the timing and the manner of its fulfillment.
This is a clear picture of grace. God has made a covenant with me, and He holds my destiny in His hands. Despite my impatience, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
