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GENESIS 12–13; PSALM 10

Week 1, Day 7

Abraham is known as the father of the faithful (Galatians 3:6-7). These two chapters show why he deserves the title. They also show that faith almost always follows an uneven course, because it resides in human vessels.

Abraham’s faith begins in a dramatic act: “Get up and go!” That could be said to be the essence of faith, because faith leads to action. So Abraham and Sarah, who were partners in the faith venture, left all that was familiar and dear to follow a promise.

But faith, as I said a moment ago, takes an uneven course. In Egypt, Abraham seems to retreat into doubt through his fear of the Egyptians. One would think that a person who was ready to go into the wilderness of the unknown would confront Pharaoh with confidence, but we human beings are rarely that consistent. That’s why we need God’s grace.

Abraham returns to his position of sublime strength, however, when there is conflict with Lot’s herdsmen. He makes a decision based on character and trust, letting Lot have the far better portion, and only after the choice is made is Abraham revisited by God with a message of grand assurance. God said, “Raise your eyes now, and look from the place where you are . . . ; all the land that you see I will give to you” (13:14-15). And with that, Abraham moved on, and “built an altar to the LORD” (13:18).

PRAYER: When I fail, dear Savior, help me to trust in you and rise up to try again; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Contrast the qualities of character in Abram that caused him, on one hand, to lie to the pharaoh, and then, on the other, to deal so unselfishly with Lot.