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Looking at Abram and Sarai (later known as Abraham and Sarah) – they were 100 and 99 years old when God came to them and made the everlasting covenant found in Genesis chapter 12.

“Go from your country, and from your relatives, and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

This is my narrative of chapter 12. Abram and Sarai did indeed follow what God had asked them to do and they settled in the land of Canaan. However, a famine occurred, so they took a trip to Egypt where the land was fertile. Abram was worried because Sarai was so beautiful that he would be killed by the soldiers of the Pharaoh, king. Then Sarai would be taken to his house. So Abram asked her to lie and say she was his sister.

Well, yes they did think she was beautiful. They did take her to Pharaoh and Abram was given lots of goods, as a thank you. However, God was displeased so he sent plagues on the house of Pharaoh. Somehow Pharaoh knew that Abram’s god was punishing him. He sent her back to Abram and had them escorted out of the country.

It is interesting as we look at this passage how very much human Abram certainly was. God had given him this great covenant and yet Abram was still fearful. If the God of “what was and is and is yet to come” gives you a promise, then you know He will fulfill it. So, Abram had nothing to fear by telling the truth.

As Christ followers, there is much we can learn from this passage. First, we are never too old for God to use us.

Here Abram and Sarai are up in age, but God began a new work within them and through them that would last for all eternity. This covenant is referenced in different ways throughout the Bible- yes, even in Revelations.

Second, Abram’s lie impacted other people. Pharaoh suffered from the lie which Abram told.

As Christ followers we are reminded that our actions have a lasting impact and ripple effect on those we come in contact with. May we remember that God has our back no matter what — even if we mess up, He will still help us.

Hopefully, it won’t take a plague to straighten it out.

Yvette Perrin is a columnist for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.