God will Give Back What the Enemy Has Stolen

 

God will Give Back What the Enemy Has Stolen

Today we shall view a story from Genesis chapters 13 and 14, about Abraham and his nephew Lot, as they obeyed God leaving their home land and journeyed where God told them to go.

As the days went by, Abraham told Lot they needed to separate because their herds and their many servants were crowded and it was causing arguments. Abraham allowed Lot to chose first; So Lot chose the plains where there was much water and he pitched his tent towards Sodom that wicked city where the men were full of evil. Abraham took his flocks and servants in another direction and all went well.   Until - -  

One day five kings in a neighboring area decided to band together and attack the city of Sodom, stealing all their wealth, and taking slaves of the people including Lot and his family and their goods.

Now Abraham had made a blood covenant with people surrounding him, so a covenant meant that you were to look out for one another and keep them posted about trouble.

This reminds me that God made a blood covenant with you and me, when he sent Jesus to be our sacrifice, and God intends to take care of us and warn us of problems, so it behooves us to listen to the Holy Spirit and pay attention.

So we find one of Abraham's covenant neighbors came and told him what had happened, to Sodom and its citizens, including Lot and his family, so Abraham acted quickly.

Reading from Genesis 14; Now when Abram heard that Lot was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.

He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued after the enemy. So he brought back all that was stolen, and also brought back Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.

As they returned in victory, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abraham at the Valley of the King’s, and also came Melchizedek king of Salem, who was the priest of God Most High and he came out bringing bread and wine; for their sustenance but this was also as a symbol of our communion when we partake of the Lord's supper. And the priest blessed Abraham and said:

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Notice what Abraham did next - - - 

And he gave to The Priest of the Lord a tithe from all the retrieved possessions.

Of the two kings who went out to meet the conquerors, Abraham only recognized the High Priest and knew it was his duty to give him tithes.

Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons from my city, and take the goods for yourself.”

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have vowed to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’— except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me; let them take their portion.”

In life there are times we have been cheated, stolen from, but God says, we are to forgive even those who mistreat us, and to realize that God is the one who will pay back good to us, and evil to them.

It is not good to harbor bitterness and ill will, for bitterness can actually harm your health and your entire being including your family. Understand and realize that God protects those who are obedient to him and to His word. 

If God is dealing with you to do something, it would be in your best interest to obey as He is directing you. Perhaps the Lord is instructing you - - as Abraham did, to give tithes to your Pastor, the Man of the God Most High. If that is the case, it would be well if you obeyed the leading of the Lord. 

 Just saying!!