GENESIS 14 CONFLICT WITH THE WORLD In my journey through the past, I learn lessons from both Abram and Lot. From Abram I learn that there can be recovery from the failures made in the world. When we refuse what we know is wrong and confess what we did was wrong, and return to where the Lord wants us, He is there waiting for us to call upon His name. Lot was with Abram in the right position but without personal exercise and faith in God.
I learned also that riches can be a snare and may in time produce division and strife. When there is the evidence, or even the sense that there is danger looming over the horizon, in faith take steps to act for the good of all involved. Abram's position of faith revealed his heavenly-mindedness and Lot's choice revealed his worldly-mindedness. Poor Lot made his choice based on fleshly desires when he "lifted up his eyes and saw the well-watered plains of Jordan." He left the blessings of Canaan forever. Abram's confession of faith was approved and affirmed by God when he was told to "lift up his eyes, and look..." to see all God promised him as a gift.
As I followed the paths of these men, I saw Abram on a high plain where there were great trees for shelter and shade. At the same time Lot had moved from the low plain where there was just good grass for his animals, right into the city of Sodom. In a very short time, he had gone from being a stranger and a pilgrim blessed by God because of his association with a man of faith, to a man of the world who had moved right into a sinful city.
In the world there are always others who want to claim what you have for themselves. In five years, Lot had lost all he had and was taken captive along with all who lived in Sodom. It is a lesson to me to be careful where your ambition leads you. If I act without knowing God's will and following God's leading, I will be "fair game" for any worldly power that comes my way and puts pressure on me to conform to it. I will find myself captured without the power to resist. God plainly tells me, "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God." The world has a mold and it wants to pour me into it. I need to stay on the high land of Beulah.
My interest was focused on a messenger bringing the news of Lot's capture to Abram. "When one member suffers, all suffer with it." The man who renounced the world, now rallies those he is in fellowship with and those he has taken the time to train, and follows the enemy until he overtakes them and conquers them. From the Conflict with the world and renouncing of it; and from the Capture of the fallen away kinsman; in Contrast he is victorious over the enemy and recovers the worldly-minded believer. How sad to see the one who was rescued, return to the same place from which he was saved. It was Compensation enough to the man of faith then to rise above opposition of the obvious enemy, and not fall under the subtle kindness of the enemy, to see a brother come back.
There was in my mind as I watched, a very significant time when Salem's king came out to give the victorious man of faith, the symbolic food of fellowship. He was the representative of God and to him was given the tithes of responsibility that people of faith are privileged to give back to God, even though its source was God in the first place. But even farther, to be able to participate with God in an act of worship after a victory is one of the highest experiences in the life of a believer.
This seemingly short stop on the journey of faith has a lasting and profound impact on a child of God. I know
- because I have been there and experienced it. Some things are of such profound spiritual importance, that it is hard to explain to those who go through the forms but miss out on the value of the Person and event.
Real peace in the middle of a godless world and all the turmoil of its mad search for fulfillment, is hard for people to understand. I learned that for me, some things are better for me to just do, and hope that my kinfolks and others who know me, will recognize that there is One who is of supreme importance to me. A command He gives isn't just a choice I make. A commission from Him is not something I can take or leave. Fellowship with my Lord cannot be jeopardized in any way by my own personal preferences.
The journey of faith brings one back to the vision of faith when the clean hands and heart, and the spirit and soul are under the control of God as a reality. All hindrances are gone so one can enjoy God, His Word and His fellowship - and faith advances.
And that faith is real to even me!
When one walks away from the path of faith Not often do they come all the way back. To take for granted the blessings that come by grace, Means I will forever something integral lack. For me to expect this ungodly world to fill A perceived need that I sense in my soul; Means I will not get back to God until I am prepared to walk away from the world.
Once one goes so far there will be lasting effects From which we can never fully recover. There are other worldly forces working that attack And capture our interest, seeking to sever Our fellowship with God and His people that care By substituting the temporary rush of emotion. The result of those actions leaves guilt to bear Until there is no longer for God any real devotion.
When the world has drained a Christian dry, It spits them out like a shell on the sand. The broken in spirit and contrite will cry With remorse over the loss of what they once had. God is still their Father so He will wait Until repentance and forsaking of sin takes place.
Even though the prodigal's sins are so great, God still has a great abundance of grace.
How much wiser it is to stay separate from the world, And seek ways to enjoy fellowship with God. Faster than time, this sinful world is being hurled Downward on that broad and crowded road. The one who trusts that the Lord knows the best for him, Will find that on the narrow and upward way - God will send someone along to encourage him then - As they go higher toward the bright and cloudless day.
"Father God, I thank Thee for answering my prayers of yesterday and encouraging us with people attending the meeting last night I thank Thee for making it possible to speak Thy Word with confidence so that it seemed like it was going somewhere. I thank Thee for the news of two of those we have been praying for who are in the hospital coming to the Savior and for saving them. For the recovery from sickness for Linda to good health - I am very grateful Father. I appreciate so much the answers Thou hast given. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."