Genesis 19:30-21:34

Genesis 19:30-21:34

When we are afraid, we act differently than when we are not afraid. There is such a difference in how we act, especially when we are focused on our feelings or they overwhelm us. Our feelings may led us down one road, but God is calling us to go down another. Feelings can misguide us, so we need to seek God's discernment.

If Abraham was confident (not fearful), he would of obeyed God through his actions. Instead of telling others that Sarah is his sister, he would have been honest and said, "she is indeed my wife." For Lot, his fear is what drove him to a far away cave with his daughters where no one was around to harm them. Also, not one was around to be a potential mate for his daughters. His daughters' fear is what drove them to be manipulate their father, so they could bear children. Fear can drive and control people. It can control us, and our actions. This is why it is so important to recognize the truth of 2 Timothy: " God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (1:7)."

God hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of self-control, love, and power. Ahh, yes. Power: God has given us power. There is power in the blood of Jesus. Through Jesus, we are given forgiveness of sins. God's power for our lives doesn't stop there. God chooses to give us power to help us overcome the temptations we may face. God can give us the power to say "No" to all ungodliness and worldly passions(See Titus 2:12). God can give us the strength to not get into arguments with someone. He can give us the strength and power to be gentle towards another person.

God has given us all we need. We can overcome the fear with His help. In this passage, God has power over fertility, even fertility. Also, we know that God promises to Sarah and Abraham that she, who is barren, will bear a child to be an heir of Abraham. God has power over all. If He has power over all, He can be our help and we can overcome the fear we feel…Further in Scripture, God uses Paul to speak these words: "In your anger, do not sin." We may have feelings. Even when our feelings are elsewhere, we still need to make it our priority to not sin. We need to make it our priority to seek God and be obedient to Him. Serving Him despite what our feelings may be (anxious, fear, sad, joyful). I say this, because a relationship with God is not based on our feelings. Our relationship with God is based on His truth! Our feelings are completely different. They are part of who we are, as a human being. Our feelings may be out of place. It is all much more than our feelings..

Love this verse in Romans as I think about overcoming sin, this sinful self, and feelings that try to stop me from doing what God wants for me to do:

Romans 7:24-25

Expanded Bible (EXB)

24 What a ·miserable [wretched] man I am! Who will ·save [free; rescue; deliver] me from this ·body that brings me death [body doomed to die; or burden of death]? 25 ·I thank God for saving me [Thanks be to God!] through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Also in this passage:

•  God spoke to Abimelech in a dream to keep him from sinning. Abimelech had taken Sarah as his wife. All Abimelech's household was barren as a result of his taking Sarah as a wife. They are then restored after Sarah is given to Abraham. Abimelech also displayed tremendous generosity to Abraham, giving him many things out of kindness.
• Abraham becomes known as the first prophet.
• Isaac is born! God's promise is fulfilled!
• Hagar is sent away with her son Ishmael. God provides water when she had none, and were ready to die. Ishmael would become a nation, and takes an Egyptian wife.
• Abraham makes a treaty with Abimelech, promising to deal kindly with Abimelech and his descendants.
• After the treaty, Abraham plants a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called upon the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God!