Friday 21 June, 2019

22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.” 24 Abraham said, “I swear it.” 25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. 26 But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.” 27 So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty. 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, 29 and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?” 30 He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.” 31 So that place was called Beersheba,[a] because the two men swore an oath there. 32 After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.

Abimalech, King of Gerar, was keen to make a treaty with Abraham. He has seen firsthand the way that God has protected Abraham and Sarah (in Gen 20) and also provided for them (Gen 21:1-7). It is clear to Abimalech that Abraham is living under the blessing of God. He can see the strength and power that such an allegiance provides and feels the threat that Abraham now brings to him and his people.

Abraham is not afraid to make a promise to Abimalech to deal honestly and kindly with him and his people. He also is confident that he is living under the blessing of a good God. He knows God has made promises to him and will fulfil them.

Am I that bold? Am I unafraid? Am I confident to step into situations because I know I am living under the blessing of a good God? Do I trust His promises to me?

What are God’s promises to me? God promises that He is good, that he is with me and goes before me, that He will strengthen me and give me rest, that He has a good plan for me and will provide for me, that he hears my prayers and gives me eternal life. The list goes on.

Now I just need to expect to see them come to pass.

Lord you are good to me in so many ways. May my heart be full of hope and expectation as I set out into this day. Give me eyes to see your blessings in my life and lips to tell of your praises.

Written by Jocelyn Petschack