Abram was a great man of faith. The books of James, Hebrews, Galatians and Romans all speak of Abraham as one whose faith was exemplary.  As you have been tracking through God's word you have undoubtedly come across Genesis 12 by now.  This chapter stands out for many reasons.  It is the chapter where God calls Abram, where God covenants with Abram ;and where Abram stands up and sets out to a land he knows nothing about...except that God has called him to go there.  And in this we see a beautiful picture of faith.  But we also see a tragic, yet real picture of fear.  For in reading God's instructions to Abram we see that he is told to leave his family and head out...giving him credit for taking his wife; there doesn't seem to be a reason for him taking Lot and the possessions and people he had acquired up to this point.  Also, it seems clear that Abram's journey to Egypt was not God's command; but rather he got to the land and things got tough so he devised his own plan.   A plan that included the deception of Pharaoh and the selling out of his wife as nothing more than a prostitute--this was definitely wrong. 

As I read the 12th chapter of Genesis I have many questions I would like to ask Abraham:  Why did you take them (Lot and the whole lot)?  Was it because Lot begged to go with you?  Was it because Sarai wanted others to come?  Or was it because you were wanting a little bit of the old life to keep you company as you ventured into a whole new world? 

Did their coming cause you heartache?  Did it help in causing the famine? 

When the famine hit, did you consider staying and waiting?  Did you cry out to God before you packed up the U-Haul? 

Were things different between you and Sarai after you did what you did? 

Did Pharaoh hear you confess God?  Did his confusion bring conviction? 

I am not sure how he might answer these question, but I wonder how I might answer if he turned them all on me? 

How often do I see difficulty and react the way Abram did?  By devising a plan and forgetting God's promise.  How often do I cause heartache to myself and others because I am unwilling to trust God's way?  How often am I satisfied with the pleasures of this life, when God has a much bigger story that he wants me to be a part of. 

I believe that each of these questions can be flipped on their end and pointed toward you and I.  And in asking them of ourselves, I pray that the Lord will show us His grace and mercy.  If you find yourself in a place where God never designed for you to go...do what Abram did in the opening verses of chapter 13--return to the Lord.  Repent and go back!  His grace and His mercy are amazing.  And if you find yourself doing it your own way, and it is working...please note this--money, wealth and stuff are not what life is about.  Are you sacrificing your intimacy with God; your intimacy with your wife; perhaps your children--for a few donkeys and dinner down in Egypt?

In closing, read 12:16 and consider this; Abram's plan worked!  In our day and age we would say that he had the American dream.  And you know what, your plan might work also.  But, so what?  If Psalm 16:11 is true, are we selling our lives for too little?