God is With You

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

GOD IS WITH YOU

Gen 21:22-24

22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you are living as an alien the same kindness I have shown to you." 24 Abraham said, "I swear it."

NIV

There is more to this conversation between Abimelech and Abraham about the well and the treaty, but there is a statement Abimelech made about Abraham that we need to explore. He said, "God is with you in everything you do." Did Abimelech mean that Abraham demonstrated the presence of the LORD in how he lived, or did he mean that God was always demonstrating his blessing in Abraham? Did he mean that Abraham was wealthy and successful in everything he did because of God? Because Abimelech wanted Abraham to swear that he would not deal falsely with him was due to the fact that he had done just that by falsely saying Sarah was his sister. However, Abimelech wanted to make things right between them. Was that because Abraham appeared more powerful than Abimelech? It is strange; however, the main point is that Abimelech saw something special in Abraham's character because the LORD was with him in everything he did. This would give us two clues to a major truth. First, it would be magnificent to live with God being with us in everything we do. Second, God being with us in all we do would be an incredible witness to others. We believe God is with us in everything we do because we believe God, not just believe in God. That means we do not live according to our own thinking, plans, or decisions; instead, in all we do, we first seek God's counsel, then act according to his will, plan, and purpose for our lives. That may not always be the easiest way to live, for his ways are not our ways, and our ways are not his ways. Was Abraham's life easy? Did he have to do things that he would have chosen differently? Are we willing to do what God desires even if it is not the easiest or most comfortable path? If God is with us in all we do, then he makes our path straight. He makes us walk on level ground. Because God is with us, as Jesus promised, he will be with us until the end of this age, or until the last day; then we will be with him forever and ever. Secondly, if we are living with God being with us in everything we do, or everything we do, God is with us, then our lives should reflect his presence in us so that others would say, "God is with you in everything you do."