Standing on God’s Promises

GETTING STARTED

The question “Can I trust God’s promises?” is one of the most important questions we could ever answer. Our actions and our thoughts answer this question much more effectively than our words often do. How we answer this question lays a foundation for how we live out our lives.

  • Take a moment and ask God to prepare and cleanse your heart as you go to him. Ask him to open your eyes, allowing you to to see his perfect character as you go to his Word.

READ THE WORD: GENESIS 12:10-20 (ESV)

10 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” 14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.

17 But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.18 So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” 20 And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. In the previous passage, the Lord spoke directly to Abram, promising Abram that through him would come “a great nation.” Shortly thereafter, how did Abram respond when he faced adversity in his circumstances (vss. 11-12)?
  2. What were the consequences experienced because of Abram’s fear and resulting actions? Who experienced them (vss. 11-17)?
  3. In spite of Abram’s disobedience, how did God protect Abram and the promise he made to Abram (vss. 18-19)? What character traits do you see of God in these verses?
  4. In what areas of your life are you not fully trusting God? What are the consequences of your lack of trust, and who is suffering those consequences?

RESPOND TO GOD

Instead of trusting God’s word to him, Abram responded to fear and put his wife, himself, and the people around him in a compromising situation. Yet, God was faithful to his promise. He always is. God makes many promises to us in Scripture. He promises that his will is vastly better for us than our own will (Proverbs 2, Luke 9:23-24). He promises that he will provide for us in ways we cannot imagine (Matthew 6:25-34). Replacing the lies we believe with God’s promises is a spiritual discipline that will allow us to grow tremendously in relationship with him. 

  • Take some time to ask God to reveal areas where you have believed lies about him. 
  • Ask God to allow you to unconditionally trust in his promises, regardless of your circumstances.