“Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you shall live.” – Genesis 20:7a 

Scripture reading: Genesis 20: 1-18

In Genesis 20, we encounter another disappointment. Abraham had been doing so well. He was walking with God, trusting His promises, and devoted to prayer. But now, having traveled to Gerar, he becomes anxious in unfamiliar territory. Sadly, he reverts to an old pattern—he tells people that Sarah is his sister. Sound familiar? (See Genesis 12:10–20.) Abraham forgets God’s promises. He forgets who he is. Instead of being a blessing to the nations, he brings the opposite. Within a year, Sarah is to bear the promised child—yet here she is in a king’s harem. What a hopeless mess!

Do you ever forget who you are or why you’re here? Do you fall back into the same old sinful habits and feel the disappointment that follows? When we are disillusioned with ourselves, we often struggle at prayer, we don’t dare to speak the truth, and are of no blessing to others.

But praise God—He doesn’t leave Abraham (or us) stuck in forgetfulness. God takes sin seriously. He takes marriage seriously. In His mercy, He brings Abraham’s sin into the light and restores him. Abraham cannot keep lying. He is a prophet, and he must speak the truth. He will be a man of prayer again

Thank God your failures are not final either. There is forgiveness and restoration with God. Remember His promises. Remember who you are. Remember Whose you are. And go be His “so-that” people again—those who pray and those who proclaim!

Suggestions for prayer

Reflect on ways you forget who you are in Christ. Confess the sins that silence your prayers or witness. Ask for God’s mercy to restore you. Pray for boldness to speak truth, bless others, and be faithful in prayer.

Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.