In all lifes battles... God cares

Genesis 14v1-24

INTRODUCTION

We have many battles, but today we are going to learn from Genesis 14 that we do not fight these battles alone. In all life’s battles, God is present, and he cares. Notice first from vs.1-12…

THE CONTEXT OF GOD’S CARE (vs.1-12)

Political instability

The political instability of the area where Lot chose to live boiled over into serious conflict. The background to this is in Genesis 14:1-12.

God cares for his people

To put down a rebellion, the four kings mentioned in v1 invaded the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea (vs.5-11). The important thing for us is that in doing this, they took Lot captive (v12). Lot was Abram’s nephew, and God cared about him. 2 Peter 2:7-9 says, “God rescued Lot out of Sodom because he knows how to rescue godly people from their trials.” God’s people can be caught up in the crossfire of world events, but in all these battles, God cares.

Applied in our situation today

As God’s children, we are not wrapped in cotton wool. We are not kept from hostile events or a hostile environment. We face conflict at home, at work, and in the community, but in all this conflict, God cares. 1 Peter 5:7 says we should cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us. This leads to a further point…

THE CONCERN OF GOD’S CARE (vs.13-20)

Verses 13-20 are at the heart of Genesis 14. They tell us about the concern of God, and the rescue of Lot. Three people are involved in this story…

In v13, we read about an escapee who reports to Abram. This man is not named, but we can assume he knew Abram and was part of the separation that took place in Chapter 13. The irony is that those who went in search of the good life now had to run for their life. More ironically, they run to Abram for help.

Though he is unnamed, the escapee is God’s man for the occasion. We may feel insignificant, but we are God’s chosen people to fulfil his purpose in the world. As Esther 4:14 says, “Who knows but that you are here for such a time as this?”

Since the incident in Chapter 13, Abram had formed a group of allies on whom he could rely in time of conflict. Verses 14-16 tell us that Abram was quick to gather his forces, and especially his elite guard. During the night, Abram attacked the enemy and routed them. He recovered all the goods and brought back Lot. Psalm 91:10–11 says that in life’s battles, no harm will overtake us; no disaster will come near us. He commands his angels to guard us in all our ways. Hebrews 1:14 talks about angels sent as ministering spirits to help.

When hearing about Lot, Abram could have said, “He’s made his bed, let him lie in it!” But no! Abram responded with the love of a covenant God who had shown him so much love and mercy. 1 John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for others.” This leads to a more significant person than the stranger or even Abram…

In vs.18-19, we read that Melchizedek king of Salem came to meet Abram with bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” Melchizedek means king of righteousness, but he was also king of Salem, which means peace. Melchizedek was also Priest of God Most High. He is a king and a priest. King David said in Psalm 110:4 that Christ would be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. He is the full expression of God’s care and concern

Hebrews 7:3 says that Melchizedek was without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. At least six times in Hebrews, Jesus is called a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (not of Aaron or Levi). In all life’s battles, enter a priest with bread and wine. He is a priest of God most high! In all life’s battles enter the Lord Jesus Christ with the bread and wine of his life and death. This is the concern of God’s care, and it leads to a further point…

THE CONTINUATION OF GOD’S CARE (vs.21-24)

Tempted with the spoils

In v21, the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Take what you want from the spoils of battle.” This tempting offer could have been Abram’s biggest battle so far! Should he take the goods or not?

Abram continues to trust in God

Abram’s response is seen in vs.22-24. He said, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’” The material goods of Sodom represented all that was desirable at that time, but Abram had no use for them. He was building a counter-culture for God in the Promised Land. Jesus said in Matthew 6:19–21, “Do not store up treasure on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Store up treasure in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

We are dependent on the Lord

Today, our biggest battle may be to resist the temptation of adverts, special offers, and competitions that draw us into covetousness and greed. The catch is usually in the word free! But nothing is free. Too often, we pay with our soul. In v23, Abram did not sell his soul to the king of Sodom. He didn’t want people to say he was dependent upon a secular king.

In the journey of life, we say with Abram, “I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth that I will trust him with everything and for everything.” Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing… He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Bernard Cartledge