Faulty Action Plan

And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife." (Genesis 20:11)

The New King James Version. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Interesting little verse on correctly understanding your environment.

Abraham rightly recognized the situation, no fear of God, but he responded wrongly, fearing man.

Abraham properly assessed that the place and the people were godless. There was no acknowledgment of God in their conversation or conduct. There was no respect or reverence for the one true God. Abraham got that right. BUT, Abraham was wrong on their capabilities. Yes, they had capacity, but God Himself would thwart their capability. Abraham had a wrong action plan.

How did this man forget the great God who delivered him from all his enemies? The God who gave him promises? The God whom he had walked with for 25 years? The God who kept him alive? These are the questions for all of us.

Abraham succumbed to the deadly sins of fearing man and trusting self. His fear of man clouded his view of God. While seeing the reality of their ungodliness and understanding their capacity, he failed to lean on the God who is RULER over all. So Abraham came up with a scheme to protect himself, only to see the hand of God overrule. God will not be thwarted!

The bigger issue, in some sense, was that Abraham could have been a testimony, but, rather, he became trouble. We too become trouble when we follow our own faulty plans.

So, the situation you're facing NOW - talk to God about it. Get His take. Trust His hand. Embrace His plan!