And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her (Genesis 20:6).
God can keep you from sinning, if you will walk with Him in the integrity of your heart. After all, He kept Joseph from committing adultery with Potiphar’s wife even though the woman wanted it so desperately, and the atmosphere was conducive (Genesis 39:7-12). He also kept Daniel from defiling himself – in the land of Babylon. (Daniel 1:8). If you are truly willing, God will give you grace to live a holy life (2 Cor. 12:9).
In our text of today, Abimelech the king of Gerar wanted to have Sarah, Abraham’s wife. In order to save his life, Abraham had lied that Sarah was his sister. Sarah was a beautiful woman. As their custom was, king Abimelech took Sarah into his harem, sincerely thinking she was Abraham’s sister. But before he could do anything, God
showed up.
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman
which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife (Genesis 20:3). From this scripture, we see God’s attitude to anyone who tries to touch another man’s wife. That has not changed. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” is His eternal word (Exodus 20:14).
Lord, I am sorry. I sincerely thought she was Abraham’s sister. Lord, thank you for not letting me touch her. Lord, I sincerely repent. That was Abimelech’s response to God’s sharp rebuke and judgement (Genesis 20:7, 17-18). God’s word to Abimelech shows us clearly that if we truly walk in the integrity of our hearts God will keep us from sinning. He has done it before. He can do it again (Jude 1:24-25).
When God says “Be ye holy: for I am holy (1 Peter 1:16). It is possible. When Christ our Lord said “Be ye therefore
perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). It is possible. When Apostle Paul said “Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). It is certainly
possible. But how is it possible? With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).
If you want to be holy by yourself, or in your strength you will find it impossible. But if you will trust the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on thine own understanding, then He will do it for you (Proverbs 3:5). What then should you do? Present your body as a living sacri ce, holy and acceptable unto God (Rom. 12:1). Ask the Lord to purify you totally, to create in you a new heart, and to renew a right spirit within you (Ps. 51:10; 2 Cor. 7:1).
Believe Him to do it now. He is faithful who has promised (1 Thess. 5:23-24). Thereafter, walk with God in His word, day by day, in the integrity of your heart. And He will keep you from sinning (Genesis 17:1).
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (Jude 1:24-25)
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY
HEBREWS 12:1-17
FOR FURTHER STUDIES
MATTHEW 5
Confession for Today:
God is able to keep me from falling.
PRAYER POINTS
- Give thanks to the Lord: holiness is possible.
- Present your body totally to God and ask Him to sanctify you completely.
- Ask the Lord to keep you in all your ways, from sinning against Him.