It's humbling, scary and reassuring that the father of all believers is on such a spiritual roller coaster ride. In the first section, Abram shows incredible trust in God by leaving his relatives and the land of his father in Ur to travel as a nomad to the Canaan. When he’s forced to go to Egypt he seems to forgo his trust that God will protect him and relies on his own schemes. He allows his wife be taken into Pharaoh’s harem in order to save his skin. Thankfully God intervenes. After being rebuked by Pharaoh he returns to Canaan and turns things around. He gives Lot the good ground, trusting that God will take care of him. With his band of 318, he trusts that God will protect him when he unselfishly rescues Lot.
It’s scary how easy it is to fall if we start to rely on our own intellect and abilities when confronted with life’s challenges. It’s reassuring that God will rescue us from ourselves and forgive us when we fall if we repent and turn to him for forgiveness. Abram’s weakness highlights God’s goodness. Abram wasn't chosen because of his merit. He’s blessed in spite of his weakness. Looking back over my life, I see the same thing over and over again and thank God that we don't have to earn his favor.
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