Lot was taken captive by foreign forces and Abram, as the loyal kinsman pursues the captors and redeems Lot. There are two kings that approach Abram thereafter.

Gen 14:17-24 (KJV)- And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the King’s Valley. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, who has delivered your enemies into your hand. And he gave him tithes of all. And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to yourself. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoe thong, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich: Except only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

We face two paths daily in our walk with Christ. One of which promises the blessings of God in our life, the other promises reward. We have to be careful that we take nothing that will forfeit the blessings of God in our life.

Melchizedek ( the king of Salem and priest of God)  blessed Abram. Then the scripture reads “And he gave him tithes of all.”  Melchizedek brought bread and wine- symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. And the tithes of the spoils (according to Hebrews 7) was given to Melchizedek. However, the rest of the spoils- Abram did not take – Except only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

The King of Salem offered a reward or a bribe for the deliverance which Abram refused rightly declaring that if he were to get anything, it had to come from God and not from a man’s hand – lest you should say, I have made Abram rich. 

So too, we should pursue the blessings of God rather than the gratification of man’s rewards. Seek first His Kingdom and His Blessings will follow you. It is His Promise. The blessings are not tangible. It is the opening of a spiritual door that may manifest as temporary riches but the core of which, if the focus is unshifted, remains in GOD Himself.

As Abram did- let us seek after God rather than accept rewards and bribes that will deviate from His blessings. There are no shortcuts. We are in this for the long run. Invest time, effort and substance in Him and His Kingdom. And in due time, we shall reap His manifested blessings in our life.

Gal 6:9-10: And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (NKJV)

Weary from the Greek word “enkakōmen” meaning don’t lose heart in time needed. We have to be so careful and watch constantly that we do not fall prey to our own pre-judgments and prejudices. Our intentions are generally good but we are bombarded by wave after wave of ingratitude and unappreciation.

Let us be mindful daily and do not lose sight that what we do on the earth in terms of good, trying to help -WE DO ALL OF THIS AS UNTO GOD.

So while a word of thanks or an appreciative gesture would be nice, it goes without saying that we must persevere in spite of or the lack therof. If the Lord was and is exposed to the ungratefulness and thoughtless words of selfish people, who are we? The servant is never greater than the Master.

So let us persevere is doing good. IN SPITE of and NOT BECAUSE of. We are agents of the most HIGH GOD- and as such let us NOT LOSE HEART. As “opportunity” arises (from the Greek root “Kairon: meaning in the proper time or season) let us take hold of the opportunity and do good.

If we knew what tomorrow would bring and knew that the acts that we do today impact tomorrow, we will RUN to accomplish the things that will bring blessings for tomorrow. God has given us the blueprint for sowing for tomorrow. He holds tomorrow in HIS hands and tells us not to be weary in doing good.

LET US WATCH AND PRAY THAT GOD WILL OPEN OUR EYES TO DO GOOD IS THIS HOUR, THAT WE WILL SEE THE OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY ARISE AND WE TAKE HOLD OF THEM, THAT HE MAY RECEIVE GLORY…….. AND THAT WE MAY REAP AND HARVEST HIS BLESSING IN OUR LIVES AND IN OUR CHILDREN’S LIVES.

AMEN

Job 2:9- “Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God, and die!”

It is important to understand that in our rebellion against God, that the enemy deceives us into believing that there is no way of escape. If we are condemned- he lies to us to say we might as well accept our fate and just die. 

In Job’s case, he was afflicted with the loss of his position, his wealth, his children and his health. In the midst of all these calamities, it is easy to say “it is over” and “I give up”. When we take the easy way of accepting the lies of the enemy, we literally open a door to further mental warfare. He will crush your hopes, he will spit in your face and denigrate you. He will bombard you minute after minute with accusations and reasons why you should hate yourself. Under this attack, it is easy to ease into depression and harbor a spirit of suicide. Death seems like the only way out. BUT THESE ARE LIES!!!

John 10:10 says “The thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

In other words, Satan – the destroyer- will stop at nothing until he has crushed your hopes, your destiny and your purpose for God. But the Deliverer- Jesus Christ- has come to give you life, hope and destiny. He has come to repurpose you, to recast you into God’s path. AND the one strategy we have to employ in this battle is FAITH. Believe GOD instead of the Liar- Satan. BELIEVE that God,  who never lies, has redeemed you, has made a way for you and will lead you. 

We have a choice daily- 

1. Shake off the accuser and hold on to the WORD of GOD
2. Believe HIM- the One who is eternal and NEVER lies. 
3. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
4. “Honor your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God gives you.”Exodus 20:12
5. But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt 6:33)

6. Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.” Ps 1:1-3

Retain your integrity. We were created in the image of GOD. Never lose sight that His eyes are always toward us with grace. He has kept His end of the covenant and has paid the price for our redemption. 

Acts 16:30-31 declares “ Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.”

Romans 10:10-11-“For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.”

Believe GOD! Your life is worth more than you could ever know. There is no need to wish for Death. SAY NO!  Wish and seek after life and the LIFEGIVER- JESUS CHRIST. Amen.