Sanctuary

Reclaiming the Truth 

“In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, ² these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). ³ And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). ⁴ Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. ⁵ In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, ⁶ and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. ⁷ Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar.

⁸ Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim ⁹ with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. ¹⁰ Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. ¹¹ So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. ¹² They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.

¹³ Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. ¹⁴ When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. ¹⁵ And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. ¹⁶ Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.” – Genesis 14.1-16

Redeeming the Time

This probably is not a passage many of us have read often, and there are a lot of names that we don’t recognize. As Genesis 14 begins, you, like me, may find yourself wondering if you missed part of the story. Who are these kings, and why am I being told about them? Then, in verse 12, we see why this narrative is important. Lot, the nephew of Abram, has been captured and carried off with these foreign kings. The stage has been set for a rescue. 

This is a story that reminds us of the love, pursuit, rescue and redemption of our great God. As we sit in this narrative together this week, I trust that a text that seems to raise more questions than answers will provide great encouragement as we seek to remember and celebrate the redemption of our Savior. I trust each of us will be encouraged and challenged by both Lot and Abram, but ultimately that we would worship God who has redeemed and continues to rescue us from ourselves.  

Reflection 

• What jumps out to you about this story?
• When was a time you found yourself in need of rescuing, like Lot?
• How has God used other people in your life as agents of His rescue plan in the past?
• Has there been a time in your life when God has used you to rescue someone who has been taken captive in some way?
• How does this story encourage you today as you reflect on God’s redemptive love?

Resting in His Redemption

Write a prayer of thanksgiving in response to God’s redemptive love.

Take a couple minutes and listen to Lauren Daigle’s song “Rescue” as you reflect on how God has rescued you.

Singing the Redemption Song – Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;

    Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins.

Celebrating Redemption

Each Saturday we celebrate a redemption story of someone in our Faith Family. Today we celebrate God’s redemption in the life of Marsha Hammond. You can watch the story here.  

Reflection

• Where specifically do you see God at work in Marsha’s story?
• How do you see God at work in your story today?
• Where are you currently celebrating redemption?

Resting in His Redemption

Marsha’s story is not her story alone. Marsha’s story is one of community. Marsha talks about her deep connection to her DMD – small group at Sanctuary. More than that, Marsha talks about a deep relationship with Jesus Himself and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Allow the words of Scripture that Marsha references to wash you anew today.

“Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’

“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” –  Acts 2.36-41

Reclaiming the Truth

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” – Luke 15.21-24

Redeeming the Time

Unworthy. The biggest lie of the enemy. He somehow convinces us that what we have done, or what we have not done, makes us unworthy in the sight of God. 

Praise be to God that our worth in His sight will NEVER be tied to what we do or don’t do.  It is only tied to the redemptive work of the cross through Jesus Christ. His love is perfect, and it is unconditional…meaning no conditions. No strings attached. Receive it – it’s yours! Nothing else required.

The biggest challenge we face is moving from the feeling of unworthiness to the truth of our worthiness. Learning to begin to live in the reality that the Father is already turned towards us, and is ready and waiting to run to us is hard.  He has clothed us in Righteousness, and He is ready to celebrate us. Why not enjoy the benefits of your Royal status and feast on His Goodness! The table is set. Your seat awaits.

Reflection

• When are you most likely to feel unworthy?
• How do you move from the feeling of being unworthy to the truth that you are worthy?
• Who do you have in your life that reminds you of your great worth and helps you to stay there?

Resting in His Redemption 

Rest and receive His truth in these verses of life.

“I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.” – Job 29.14

“The angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ Then he said to Joshua, ‘See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.’” – Zechariah 3.4

“He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.” – Isaiah 59.17

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” – Isaiah 61.10