A Shield and Great Reward

Gen 14:11-12 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed. And they also took Lot, Abram's nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom.

I love studying Abraham's life. He was a man of peace and is typically seen in the role of a peacemaker. In this incident we see a whole different side of him. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, moved his tents as far as Sodom. Wars break out among the tribal chiefs and those defending Sodom and Gomorrah are defeated. Lot with all his family and possessions are carried off as spoils of war.

Abraham is still living in the same place and his neighbors have become allies. He must have been a good and wise neighbor. When Abraham receives the news about Lot's fate, he immediately swings into action. Scripture does not give any indication that Abraham ever fought another physical battle, but he's prepared for this one. He had 318 trained men who had been born in his house to help him. The growth and the might of Abraham's entourage are impressive. Abraham didn't look for a fight, but he was ready if someone should pick one.

He went after the marauding kings at night and soundly defeated them. Actually the word used to describe the victory in Genesis 14 and in Hebrews 7:1 is slaughter. This was hand to hand combat and it was brutal. Not only was Lot delivered, but Abraham brought back all the women, the people and their goods. To the victor go the spoils. The king of Sodom told Abraham to give his people back and keep the spoils. However, Abraham wanted nothing for himself. He had in deep conviction sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that he would take nothing for himself. Abraham didn't want the king saying he had made him rich by letting Abraham keep the spoils. He wanted God to have the full credit for the blessings bestowed on him. As conscientious as Abraham was not to touch the spoils of war, he did take a tenth to give God's priest. He also made sure that his neighbors, who went with him into battle, were allowed to take a fair share of the spoils.

What can we take away from this time in Abraham's journey? Life doesn't usually throw us opportunities of this magnitude, but it does happen. Think of those who responded so heroically and selflessly on 9/11. Maybe they would have considered themselves unlikely heroes. We are made in God’s image and often it takes dark times to illuminate that this is still true. Abraham went after Lot with no guarantee that he would win or come out of it unscathed. I believe he "did it afraid" because in Genesis 15:1 immediately after these events God told Abraham to "fear not." It would seem Abraham was fearful that word of what he had done would provoke other tribal leaders to take vengeance or put him in his place. We are vulnerable to emotional and mental lows after we have experienced an intense high and this seems to be the case with Abraham. God tells him in 15:1 that "I am a shield to you; your reward will be great." I will be your protection; I will reward you. What soothing words to someone who has just put himself in harms way for another and turned down great spoils. In John 15:13 Jesus tells his disciples, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." Abraham was beginning to look like the One who had called him.

MY PRAYER: Lord, how often do we go after those taken captive? How often do we put ourselves on the line for others with no thought of reward? Help us to believe you are our Shield and our Reward so we can be like You and your friend Abraham.

Mac Powell/Fernando Ortega - Our Great God

Avoiding Strife by Trusting God

Gen 13:8-9 Then Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. "Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me: if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left. "Gen 13:10a-13 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere-- So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan; and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.

In Genesis chapter 12 we see the weakness and failure of Abraham, but here we see his strengths. He knew what the book of James tells us in chapter 3:16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Abraham generously gives Lot the choice. “If you go right, I’ll go left, you choose.” How many of us fight and jockey for positions or possessions with self-interest foremost in our minds? What a study in contrasts:

· Lot lifted up his eyes
· Lot chose for himself
· Lot moved his tents toward Sodom
· Bad neighbors/bad choice

Genesis 13:14-18 And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. "And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. "Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you." Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

· God lifted Abraham’s eyes
· God chose for Abraham
· Abraham moved tent to Hebron and built altar
· God focused/good choice

I have often heard it said, “God gives the best to those who leave the choice to Him.” Surely this must be the proof text of that proverb. With the renewal of the promises we see Abraham responding with gratitude and worship by building an altar.

We may think there are no lessons to be learned from this story, but we would be wrong. I live in an area where once cheap rural farmland skyrocketed in value. It isn’t uncommon to hear of siblings feuding over the division of property and possessions. In the church and community I have seen people jockeying for prestige and position. What a bad choice. Let God lift your eyes and show you what He has for you. It will beyond what you “could ask or think.” You will be freed from strife and striving and that’s a good choice.

MY PRAYER: Lord, your word says that "fights and battles among us come from wrong desires in us." Lift our eyes to the real and lasting rewards that you have for us. Help us to lay down our right to choose, and embrace your best. In Jesus name, Amen.

Voice Of Truth - Casting Crowns

Fear, Failure, and Finding the Way Home

Genesis 12:10-20 Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. And it came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; and it will come about when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, 'This is his wife'; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you." And it came about when Abram came into Egypt; the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. And Pharaoh's officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. Gen 12:16 Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels. But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? "Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go." And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.

This episode in Abraham's life reminds us that even the most favored of God's children have feet of clay. It should also remind us that we have an unseen enemy. There is no mention of the devil's presence in these passages, but as I have meditated on what is at stake here I see his fingerprints everywhere. God promised the serpent in Genesis 3:15 that Eve's seed would crush his head. Galatians 3:16 makes it clear that the seed was Christ. Satan is not all-knowing and he had no way of discerning whether it was Sarah or Abraham who was barren, but he did know that God was establishing the line through which the seed would come. God has a plan for your life, so does Satan and in subtle and cunning ways he is working his plan to thwart your God given destiny.

As the famine forced a temporary move to Egypt, fear began to rise in Abraham's heart. Can’t you hear the enemy floating thoughts into his mind, "Your God isn't taking very good care of you in this land He says He's giving you is He? Look how beautiful your wife is, you're a dead man when the men in Egypt see her." I have a friend who is a Vietnam veteran. He gave me a great acrostic for fear: False Evidence Appearing Real. Jesus calls the devil the "Father of Lies" in John 8:44 so we continue to pick up his fingerprints in this sad scenario. Abraham asks Sarah to obscure the true nature of their relationship so that it will go well with him. He abdicates his role, leaving her vulnerable, to protect himself. We know from Genesis 20:13 that lying about Sarah became a way of life for Abraham and lying became a character flaw in his son (see Genesis 26:6-7) and his grandson. (Genesis 27:18) When we open a door of opportunity to the devil, he always overstays his welcome. Satan makes sure Abraham’s fears come upon him. Pharaoh takes Sarah as his wife and rewards Abraham. I'm sure the devil was strutting thinking, "I've wrecked the plan or at least slowed it down until he finds another wife. God's picked a real charmer to make a great nation." I love these words, "But the LORD." Pharaoh and his household are plagued with sickness and Sarah's true identity is uncovered. He gives her back to Abraham and as a rule kings don't give things back. Pharaoh's fear of God checkmates Abraham's fear of man. Mr. "Blessing to the whole earth" is "escorted" out of the country. God is so amazing, "He watches over His word to perform it," even though we, on our side, can really mess up.

We should be encouraged and warned. 2 Peter 1:4a tells us that "He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that we may participate in the divine nature." We have great promises from a great God. We have fierce opposition from an unseen foe. He loves to float thoughts into our minds to move us from faith to fear... from trusting God to self-preservation. The outcome is seldom pretty. God in His faithfulness stepped in and delivered, but not all the consequences were removed. We always reap enough of what we have sown to motivate permanent change in our character.

Gen 13:1, 3-4 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, he and his wife and all that belonged to him; and Lot with him. And he went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been AT THE BEGINNING, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar, which he had made there formerly; and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

In chapter 13 we see Abraham returning to where he had been at the beginning. He's back at the altar, calling on the name of the Lord. This is a beautiful picture of finding the road home after we have lost our way.

MY PRAYER: Lord, help me to stand on your promises and not give place to Satan’s lies. Help me to walk in faith with you and not fear.

MY CONFESSION: "You have given your peace to me. I will not let my heart be troubled, nor will I let it be fearful.” John 14:27 I stand on your word!

11. Michael Card - Things We Leave Behind

Abraham Obeyed....Will We?

Gen 12:1-4a Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him;

The word of God is astounding on so many levels. It is utterly consistent from beginning to end. God chose Abram to begin to develop a people for Himself. In the New Testament we see the exact same pattern displayed. Whenever I read passages of God's interaction with mankind I know why the Psalmist David wrote, "What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him and the son of man that Thou dost care for him?" God is looking for relationship and obedience. God calls Abram to follow Him and of necessity leave some things behind.

his country
his relatives
his father's house

He gives him some promises:

A land which I will show you
I'll make you a great nation
I will bless you
I will make your name great
You shall be a blessing
I will bless you and protect you
In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed

In the New Testament we see Jesus walking the shores of Galilee and calling his disciples to come and follow him. In Matthew 4:18 he calls two sets of brothers and immediately they left some things behind.

their nets
their boat
their father

In Mark 10:29-30 Jesus tell them that no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for Jesus sake and for the gospel's sake but that he will receive 100 times as much now in this life:

houses
brothers and sisters, mothers, children
farms
persecution
In the age to come....eternal life

Like Abraham we are called to a new land.

Phil 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven,

Abraham was promised to become a great nation and so are we.

1 Pet 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION,

God said, "I will make your name great," our name is great too.

Acts 11:26b "and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."

God told Abraham, "I will bless you." So are we.

Eph 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,"

Abraham was promised that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. The world is blessed through us.

Mat 5:14a "You are the light of the world.
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth;

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever. The unchanging ways of God are comforting and discomfiting at the same time. Is there anything that we are refusing to leave behind in order that we may inherit all that he has for us? If you don't know, then ask him. Abraham and the fishermen obeyed. Because they obeyed God could use them to change the world. Will we?

09. Michael Card - The Basin and the Towel

I Gave You an Example

"You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” John 13:13-17 NAS

We were building a new home because we were going to need more space to care for my husband’s parents. His father had been an invalid for 25 years and my mother-in-law could no longer take care of him because she was increasingly fragile herself. Before we started building she had fallen and hurt herself, so I traveled the nine hours there to help. Taking care of my father-in-law was a daunting task. Because of partial paralysis and poor circulation he would get me up several times a night to rub his feet and then many times during the day. I knew that God had clearly put it on my heart to take care of them, but as I got back home and the reality drew nearer I began to think about being a slave to his feet. Slowly dread and depression began to stalk me. It was nearing Christmas and our work on the house was in full swing. I took a lunch break and turned on the radio to listen to Moody hoping for some Christmas cheer. Erwin Lutzer came on with a word that they played several times during the Christmas season but this was the first time I had heard it. (Of course this isn’t word for word but the best I can remember) this is what I heard Erwin Lutzer say:

THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE….

MARTIN LUTHER DIDN’T SAY,” I DON’T DO DOORS.”

MARY DIDN’T SAY,” I DON’T DO VIRGIN BIRTHS.”

JESUS DIDN’T SAY, “I DON’T DO MANGERS OR CROSSES.”

AND MARY OF BETHANY DIDN’T SAY, “I DON’T DO FEET.”

ANGELS MUST WONDER AT THE HUMILITY OF GOD AND THE PRIDE OF MEN.

I sat there in stunned silence knowing that the Lord had spoken. I was going to follow His example and “do feet.” For the next year and a half until my father-in-law died I did his feet. With a doctor’s advice, we set a better schedule so his feet stayed healthy and so did we. We cared for my dear mother-in-law for seven years. It got wearying at times and I didn’t always do it perfectly, but His presence was never stronger in my life. We knew what He wanted us to do and we were blessed by doing it. If you know that God is calling you to follow His example in a specific but difficult task, don't hesitate. His grace will be sufficient and His presence sweet.

MY PRAYER: Lord, you gave us an example. Though you were God you humbled yourself and took on the form of a servant. It is not in my nature to think or act like a servant. Help me to cultivate a servant’s heart.

MY CONFESSION: Lord, I choose to follow your example. I know these things and I will be blessed as I do them. I stand on your word!

Humble Yourself