Read Genesis 20:1-18

“I withheld you from sinning against Me.” (Genesis 20:6)

We have this truly peculiar account in the book of Genesis between Abraham and a king named Abimelech. If you know the context, you’ll know that Abraham was caught red-handed in a lie which almost led to his wife, Sarah, being defiled by this king. Of course, Abraham tries to justify his lie, but it would make the sin of Abimelech no less grave in the eyes of God.

In order to preserve Sarah’s sanctity and His plan for Abraham, which was to give them a promised son, Isaac, God has to intervene before such a sin could take place. And so God tells Abimelech to back off and says to him: "I withheld you from sinning against Me.”

What an extraordinary statement.

This teaches us that God does not necessarily leave men to his own sinful devices. And the greatest example of this principle is how God sent His Son to do this very thing — to intervene and mediate for mankind.

It will not be until we get to heaven, and perhaps not even then — will we know how much the Lord did to keep us from sinning against Him.

Oh, the grace and mercy of God!

He not only cared for our poor mess by removing our sins on the cross, but He has also intervened in a way to keep us from sinning against Him even now.

This is most profound in Him giving us His Holy Spirit in order that we would live in dominion and power over sin.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

No other saints of God in history’s past have ever had this kind of intervention — God’s intervention — to keep us from sin. And it certainly is greater today than it ever was for Abimelech in his situation.

Yet — He not only withholds us from sin through the power of His Holy Spirit, but even if we do sin we have been given an Advocate with God, who is Jesus Christ, our great Savior, to cover them.

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)**

We are in this respect, doubly covered by the Lord‘s amazing and abounding Grace!

No wonder Paul could say:

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6)

That the good work which He started in us He will complete because sin has truly been removed. God has withheld, truly withheld, us!

I would have you remember today that the cross has transformed you from a sinner into a saint in the household of God. Even more, you are a royal priesthood and a holy nation for God’s glory.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9–10)