No More Altars

"Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe." 
Genesis 12:10 (NIV)

Have you ever thought you trusted God—and then made a decision that proved you didn't?

Abraham is finally on track. He arrives in Canaan exactly where God told him to go, and he does something beautiful. Twice he stops, builds an altar, and calls on the name of the Lord. He isn't staking out his own territory—he's staking out God's. He is a man of faith, walking in faith.

Then the famine hits.

He expected friends but he found foes. He expected a feast and he walked into famine. And Genesis 12:10 records what happened, "Abram went down to Egypt." No altar this time. No prayer recorded. No asking God what He thought about the detour. He simply took matters into his own hands.

He didn't stop believing in God. He just quit believing God. There's a canyon of difference between those two things.

You know that canyon. You say everything belongs to God then grip your finances like your life depends on it. You say God is your provider then make decisions driven entirely by fear. That's not unbelief. That's contradiction.

When the famine comes—and it will come—don't pack for Egypt. Build an altar instead. Get on your knees before you get on the phone. Pray before you plan. Let God into the crisis before you start solving it yourself.

The God who called you into Canaan hasn't left you in the famine.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the decisions I've made without You. When the next famine hits, remind me to build an altar before I book a flight to Egypt. You are still my provider. In Jesus' Name, Amen.