Athlete, God Keeps Covering

*This devotional series was written by the AIA staff team at the University of Virginia

Read Genesis 20

Does this story sound familiar?  Abraham told the exact same deceptive half-truth (20:12) to an Egyptian Pharaoh back in Genesis 12.  Now he is in "the Negev," between the southern portion of the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean, in the land God had promised to him.  Today's passage makes it especially clear that Abraham was in the wrong when he told this half-truth (20:9), as he is shamed by Abimelech's innocence (20:4-6). God protects Abimelech and, at the same time, graciously blesses Abraham in spite of his shaky faith that leads him into deception.  Abraham commits the exact same sin two times, and two times God covers over his offense and gives him what he does not deserve.  

Questions for Reflection & Prayer

1. Do you ever have trouble believing that God will forgive you for committing the same sin multiple times?  Where would we be if God did not forgive us for committing the same sin multiple times?  God does not forgive so that we can continue in sin.  He forgives us to give us the freedom to live in his ways.  But for all who are broken by the offense of sin, who trust in Christ's work on the cross, and who desire to repent through his resurrection power, God forgives "seventy-seven" (i.e. countless) times (Matthew 18:21-22). Take time to receive and thank God for his abundant forgiveness, and in repentance ask him to free you from the sins that bind you.

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