For the second time in his life (Genesis 12:12–20), Abraham lied about Sarah, saying she was his sister, although he tried to justify his deception this time (v. 12). Once again, he was motivated by fear as he traveled in a foreign land; he was afraid someone else would kill him because they wanted to take Sarah as a wife. Fear, not faith, controlled the patriarch in this story. God promised to bless those who blessed Abraham and curse those who treated him with contempt (Genesis 12:3). But Abraham either forgot or disbelieved God’s promise in the moment.

But there is another troubling aspect to Abraham’s deception. Just before this, God’s messengers told Abraham and Sarah that they would have the son they had been waiting on (Genesis 18:13–14). But here, Abraham allowed King Abimelech to take Sarah, presumably to be his wife. Abraham’s faithlessness in this moment dishonored his wife and God and jeopardized the promise.

Yet, God intervened and protected and preserved Sarah and the promise. Abraham’s act of faithlessness almost caused much more harm than he could ever have imagined.

• How are you struggling to trust God right now?