Genesis 26

We see a pattern passed down from Abraham to his son Isaac in Genesis 26. Abraham lied about Sara being his sister, not his wife, to save his own life in Genesis 12:10-20 and 20:1-8. Then in Genesis 26, Isaac does the same thing; he’s afraid that the people in this foreign land he’s found himself in will kill him and take Rebekah.

I see family patterns playout in my own life. I hope and pray that my children don’t get tripped up in the stupid stuff that I did, or my parents did.

Abraham and Isaac lied to save their own necks. Even after God promises to bless them with countless descendants. I’m so thankful for God’s mercy and grace, and for having a perfect plan for an imperfect people.

Once we repent, we put our faith in Jesus and accept him as our Lord and Savior. When we desire that relationship with Christ, when we seek Christ daily, when we keep banging on the door, the Holy Spirit will begin to move us into the perfection of Christ. We don’t have to be perfect people — We, the imperfect, are loved now the way we are. I’m about as imperfect as they come; sometimes, I think that might be the only thing I’m good at. The Lord has a lot of work to do in me. I pray that when I get to Heaven, I hear “good job, my faithful servant”. I certainly don’t want to hear “beat it, I don’t know you“. Being separated from God for eternity is a terrifying thought. I’d rather have him roll his eyes and tell me, “Finally, you are here, Fitz, you were wearing me out, now there’s a scrub brush, get to cleaning.”

All joking aside, today’s reading reminds me of the song “Clumsy”, which has always encouraged me.