“Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down into Egypt to live temporarily, for the famine in the land was oppressive (intense and grievous).”Gen 12:10 (Amplified)
One benefit that you can be sure of receiving as a result of obeying God’s word is the confidence and feeling of security as well as the knowledge that God will back up His word. Nevertheless, if you have walked long enough with God, you would also have learned to expect the unexpected as well as the fact that where God is concerned the road that will take you from where you are to where He has promised you is not necessarily the shortest straight line possible. While you can be sure of the end, the means remains His prerogative. Hence, this calls for faith in God’s faithfulness on our part and trust in a God who cannot be wrong and is never blindsided by events.
When God commanded Abram to leave home and family and set out for a place that He would show him, Abram had every reason to believe that once he reached there, that God would enable Him to immediately possess the land. So, you can imagine his surprise when an oppressive famine descended on the land of promise and forced this man of faith to seek refuge in a place he would rather not go – Egypt. The question this raises is hadn’t God known that a famine would afflict the land and why then did he send Abram when He did and why did He not avert the natural disaster and save Abram a bit of bother, after all, He is a miracle working God?
Of course, God knew about the famine and yes He could have averted it if He were so inclined. However, on this occasion He chose not to because He had a greater plan and purpose in mind. Abram had two choices; he could rail against God for taking him from relative safety in Haran and leading him into such a sticky situation or he could trust in God’s wisdom and rely on Him to make a way out of that difficult patch. We know what choice he made and how things ended for him. He went to Egypt and as a result became very rich. Although he made mistakes, God turned those mistakes into opportunities to bless Abram because of His original obedience.
So, has God taken you on some scary and unexpected detours even as you strive to obey Him and achieve His goal for your life? Are you presently going through a very difficult patch and are beginning to wonder if you had heard God right in the first place? Have recent events in your life shaken your confidence and caused you to doubt God’s wisdom in leading you the way He has? Like Abram, choose to see these tough events as the opportunity you require to enrich your relationship with God as you totally commit yourself and destiny to Him for He is the God who knows it all. He has never been wrong before and you can be sure that He will not start with you. So, in this harsh financial climate, please join George Muller in declaring that “I am not looking at the clouds, but at the God who control every circumstance of my life.” You will surely be the better for it.
Prayer:
Lord, your word assures me that when I go through the waters, I will not drown and through the fire that it shall neither burn nor singe me. I stand on that word today and claim your perfect protection and providence in this financially tense time. You are my source. Therefore, I trust you to supply all my needs according to your riches in glory in Jesus name. Amen.