So lot has escaped from Sodom and the city is destroyed because of sin. God has just taught Abraham about justice and mercy. Don’t you think Abraham would have learned about sin and its consequences?
But, just like us, he falls back on human patterns of sin.
Moving to a new place, Abraham gave his wife to the local ruler, repeating the same lie he told Pharaoh, “She is my sister.”
Once again, in what seems like endless patience, God speaks to the uncircumcised ruler to cause him to reprimand Abraham. And Sarah has an active part in all this, saying “He is my brother.”
But nothing can get in the way of God’s promise.
God needed to keep Sarah’s womb pure so that there would be no question of who the father of her child would be. His desire to complete his work in Abraham and Sarah’s lives was stronger than their faith.
Sometimes we get this backward. We believe that if we have faith, then God can work through us. But God reminds us once again that his work is not limited by our faith.
Do you ever wondered when you miss a witnessing opportunity if that person will ever know Christ? Let me assure you, if he desires to know God, God will reveal himself to him. He is a just and merciful God. He will not punish the person for your lack of faith. He is not limited by your abilities.
That doesn’t mean you were right to not share your faith, just as it was not right for Abraham and Sarah to lie. But God goes beyond our abilities to show his justice and mercy.
God is not limited by our unbelief.
