[[-SOAP HUB]] [[Genesis 20]] ## Title: The Lord Blesses Us Through Rejection ## Scripture: (Genesis 20:6) Then in the dream God replied to him, “Yes, I know that you have done this with a clear conscience. That is why I have kept you from sinning against me and why I did not allow you to touch her. (NET) ## Observation: Have you ever thought something was a good idea, but you just could not get it to work out? In this passage, it appears Abimelech decided it would be a good idea to take Sarah and did not see any reason not to move forward. The Lord stopped him. He did not know it at the time, but God’s goodness was shown to him through what he was unable to do. While we never want to think of the negative things in our lives being allowed by the hand of God, the truth is God is sovereign over all things. God is not the author of evil, but He allows evil to have its time due to the free will granted to us all. However, God is also not limited by evil. He can still work through difficult circumstances. God’s “no” turned into the best “yes” Abimelech could have hoped for in life. What about you? Even if it is uncomfortable, think about a time in your life when things did not work out. Is it possible that “no” saved you from something worse? ## Application: How has God helped you by saying no? ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for leading us even when we do not know what’s best.