The Mirror or God's Face?

Read Genesis 12-14
 
Genesis 12:12-14 “When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ 13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” 14 And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone spoke of Sarai’s beauty.
 
AMID fear, trials and temptations are you willing to trust God’s promises of protection and salvation? If you’re as Abram, you will answer the question, “I am, and I am not.” Abram was on a journey learning of God. This, too, is our pathway when the Lord says, “Come, follow me.”
   One truth about God is that he does not immediately and completely remove sin’s affects from our minds as he appoints us to faith. Upon our confession, “Jesus is Lord.” the LORD does not immediately say, “All is perfect and complete for you!” Instead, he says, “Take up your cross.” His calling is a transforming journey to sanctify you as his new creation. The Bible, teaching, preaching, study, prayer and fellowship are his means to protect you through the fears, trials and temptations.  
   Abram’s life is a good example for you. Our scripture reading today tells us Abram believed God and wholeheartedly when the Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1) That’s a very big faith. To leave the safety of your clan and travel some 300 miles to an unknown territory was to yield yourself and family to the mercy of many who could object to your presence in their land! In God’s providence, Abram was willing to confess his faith in God to say, “Yes, Lord. I will go.” Spirit-moved, he exhibited a faithfulness to God in a land not his own.  
   But then came the fear, trials and temptations. Where did Abram turn his eyes to seek relief in the famine? He turned to himself, to his own solutions. Quickly he turn to Egypt’s wealth, forgetting about God’s promise of a bounteous future for Abram’s offspring. But Abram’s self-protection plan threatened Sarai’s morals and God’s covenant promise. Not wanting to be a victim, Abram guided by fear made Sarai the victim. Even more, Abram’s self-preservation plan threatened your salvation! If Sarai had gone into the king’s chambers would not any offspring be questioned? Perhaps Abram’s lack of trust in God here is one reason God delayed Isaac’s birth for 25 years!  
   Through this incident, the dispute with Lot and Lot’s rescue, Abram is putting aside the old self to become more and more new in his faith journey.  
   Yes, God will allow and sometimes cause trials in your life. Still, he is faithful to protect his covenant promise of salvation to you. When God calls you to himself, you must believe him in all circumstances. Each day is an opportunity for you to trust God more deeply.
   What is he telling you as you read his Word? Do you believe him? Sometimes times, your faith is mirror-focused. Other times your faith sees deeply into God’s countenance to know his protection and power. Where do you look?