Raid Or Rescue

Daily Reading // Genesis 12-15

(Find the daily reading on Pastor Jim’s Blog)

https://jholm5.wixsite.com/pastor-jim-blog

S // SCRIPTURE

Select a verse from today’s reading

Genesis 14:15-16 (NKJV) 15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.

O // OBSERVATION

Why did this verse get your attention? Make a simple observation from the text

This is an amazing story. Abraham was able to do, with his group of servant/soldiers, what multiple kings were unable to do. He defeated the multinational army and gained back all the spoil.

Once he was victorious he paid a tithe and gave everything else and everyone back to their previous place.

A // APPLICATION

How can I apply this to my life today?

As I read this today I am thinking about the difference between raid and rescue.

Abraham did to the enemy forces just what they had done originally. He defeated them and took all the people and stuff in their possession. In that way there is very little difference.

But what he did with the spoils afterward was vastly different, showing a different motive all together.

It’s the difference between a raid and a rescue.

A raid takes what is yours to make it mine. It is a self-serving act. It is not to enrich you but to enrich me.

A rescue wins back and restores. A rescue is for the good of others. It is for the sake of the one being rescued, not the rescuer.

A raid enslaves. A rescue liberates.

Sin, the enemy, comes to raid. Jesus came to rescue.

P // PRAYER

Express yourself in prayer

Jesus, You rescued me! I was captured by sin. You won the battle, at Your own peril, and rescued me. Hallelujah!