Monday 2 November, 2015

22 At that time Abimelek and his army commander, Phicol, spoke to Abraham. They said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now make a promise to me here while God is watching. Give me your word that you will treat me fairly. Promise that you will treat my children and their children the same way. I’ve been kind to you. Now you be kind to me and the country where you are living as an outsider.” 24 Abraham said, “I give you my word that I’ll do it.” 25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelek that his servants had taken over a well of water. 26 But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You didn’t tell me. And today is the first time I heard about it.” 27 So Abraham gave Abimelek sheep and cattle. The two men came to an agreement. 28 Then Abraham picked out seven female lambs from his flock. 29 Abimelek asked Abraham, “What’s the meaning of these seven female lambs? Why have you picked them out and set them apart?” 30 Abraham replied, “Accept the seven lambs from me. They will be a witness that I dug this well.” 31 So that place was named Beersheba. That’s because there the two men came to an agreement. 32 After the agreement had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek went back to the land of the Philistines. His army commander, Phicol, went with him. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba. There he called on the name of the Lord, the God who lives forever. 34 Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.

Abraham and Abimelech’s relationship gets off to a rocky start. What with Abraham saying Sarah is his sister rather than his wife, and with Abimelech taking Sarah for his own wife… Not the healthiest way to start a connection! By this section of the text Abimelech has observed that God is with Abraham, saving Sarah from dishonour and threatening Abimelech if he touched Sarah. Abimelech perceives that, “God is with you [Abraham] in everything you do,” verse 22. Abimelech has experienced God as a potential enemy and does not want to experience it ever again. He wants Abraham and his God as allies rather than enemies.

Wow! That is the same God we serve today. He is with us in everything we do because of Christ. He is for us and not against us. Our enemies, the spiritual forces of darkness, are no match for our great God. God is not someone you want as an enemy… Creator and King of the Universe… All-Mighty… Has the final word in everything… We who belong to His family need not fear because our God is victorious always!

Thank you God for the privilege and assurance of being part of your family & being on your team. I’m so thankful that you, Creator and King of the Universe, the Almighty, the one who has the final word in everything, are on my side. Please help me to remember how great you are when I face opposition. Amen.

Written by Beth Waugh