God is working even when you mess up
In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. ~ Genesis 20:6
I’ve messed up a lot. More times than I care to admit, in all honesty. One of my most recent mistakes has gripped me more than I expected, even to the point of trying to knock me off mission and purpose. I was in a meeting with a group of people who were somewhat intimidating, and when the focus shifted to me and what I had to say, I blew it under the pressure. I stumbled through my words and left feeling like a total failure. What I thought was going to be an open door from God ended up feeling like one that slammed shut right in my face. I left questioning everything, my preparation, my voice, and even whether I had misheard God altogether. But as I sat with it, God gently reminded me that His plans are never ruined by my imperfections. If that opportunity was truly from Him, He will bring it back around in His time or open up an even greater opportunity.
That is why Genesis 20 hit me so personally. Abraham made a mistake, a serious one. He once again told a half-truth about Sarah being his sister, and it landed her in the household of King Abimelek. It was a risky untruth, move driven by fear and self-preservation, but even then, God stepped in. Before anything could happen to Sara or Abraham, God intervened in a dream, protecting her, correcting the situation, and preserving His promise.
What encourages me most is that God did not wait for Abraham to get it all right before He acted. He moved in the middle of Abraham’s mistake. That brings me so much peace. I have made decisions not out of rebellion, but out of fear or misunderstanding and even then, God still showed up. He covered the situation, protected what mattered most, and reminded me that His purpose for my life is not dependent on me being flawless.
Genesis 20 shows us that God is always working. He sees our intentions, even when our execution falls short. He knows how to protect us, correct us, and restore us. He is not waiting for perfection, but He is looking for hearts that are turned toward Him, even in weakness.
Maybe you are in a season where something you hoped for did not go the way you expected. Maybe fear or pressure caused you to respond in a way you now regret. Let Genesis 20 reminds you that your failure is not final, and your mistake does not cancel God’s mission for your life.
Here are some practical ways to stay encouraged when you mess up:
• Take it to God immediately. Do not run from Him. Run to Him and be honest.
• Ask for wisdom. Pray for clarity and courage to grow from it and choose differently next time.
• Receive His grace. Let go of the guilt. His mercy truly is new every morning.
• Make it right when you can. Like Abraham, acknowledge your role and walk in humility.
• Stay committed to the journey. One wrong moment does not mean the story is over. God is still writing it.
Today I want to encourage you to believe that God is still working, even in your mess. He knows your heart and He sees your faith, even when fear makes noise. He is bigger than your failures and faithful to finish what He started in you. Keep walking forward. That closed door may just be God’s way of preparing you for something greater. His grace still covers you. His plan is still good and He has not changed His mind about your calling.
Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 20
1Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner,
2Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace.
3But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!”
4But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.”
6In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her.
7Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.”
8Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified.
9Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done!
10Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?”
11Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’
12And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her.
13When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”
14Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him.
15Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you would like to live.” 16And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.”
17Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children.
18For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah.
Journal:
• Is there a decision you made that you are still carrying guilt over?
• What does this story teach you about God’s ability to protect and restore?
• Write a prayer asking God to help you walk in freedom from past mistakes and stay confident in His calling on your life.
The Daily Dose 