Monday, September 4, 2006
Genesis 14:14-16 Now when Abram heard that his brother 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 them as far as Hobah, which is north of
Damascus. 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.
ADVANTAGE ABRAHAM
In reading through much of the Old Testament this past summer, one of
the amazing things I relearned was how often God uses a little to
accomplish great things. We can readily think of Elijah and the woman
who lived for months on a little flour and oil. Certainly an example
of God's ability and power over His creation.
There are other examples also. Take for example Abraham. After he and
his nephew Lot had moved to Canaan, and the two of them split up, Lot
was taken captive by four kings. When Abraham heard what had
happened, he took 318 trained servants and went after the four kings
pursuing them northward. Catching them, Abraham defeated the four
kings, got back all the possessions which these four had taken, and
rescued Lot and the other captives.
You might recall this from Sunday School or from a Christian School
lesson. There is no doubt that it was God who gave to Abraham the
victory. We see very simply what trust in God can accomplish.
But consider the facts. Four kings, and suppose each one had a
thousand men. 4,000 versus 318! That is a low estimate, but what are
the odds that 318 men against 4,000 or more would win. Yet speaking
from a human standpoint, Abraham beat the odds.
Looking at it though from the spiritual side, which we always ought
to do, the truth was, Abraham had the advantage. As a child of the
Lord, the Lord was with Abraham and the Lord gave to him the
victory.
