Our actions have a ripple effect on the lives around us. Like a stone, thrown into a calm lake the ripples of our actions spread out to those around us. It is interesting our actions can either increase the effect our cancel out the effect of another.
Abraham and Sarah’s lie had an effect on King Abimelech and his house. God spoke to Abimelech in a dream warning him not to touch Sarah because she was His prophet, Abraham’s wife. He argued with God that they had lied to him. He was innocent. God continued to warn him if he didn’t give Sarah back to Abraham, he and all those who are with him will die, even though he is innocent.
Death was not the only effect that happened to Abimelech house. God caused all the women of his house to be unable become pregnant. That is a big ripple to their lie. Abraham and Sarah are the ones the told a half-truth as to her being his sister and leaving out the fact that she was his wife, yet it was Abimelech’s house that had to suffer the consequences.
It wasn’t until Abraham and Sarah were reunited and Abraham prayed to God did the effects of his lie on Abimelech were removed. We are not told what Abraham prayed. Wonder if God had called him out and he repented for telling a lie to protect himself, instead of trusting God. Whatever he prayed the ripple of that prayer was larger than the other ripples of the lies so they were canceled out by the prayer.
As we follow God’s leading in our lives we need to make sure we reflect Him. It is by reflecting Him that our ripples from our actions will be healing and helpful to those come across them.
Bonnie Sue Writes 