Lent Devotional 2020

Reclaiming the Truth

“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.” –  Genesis 14:15

Redeeming the Time

Abram heard that one of his own, Lot, had been taken captive and his immediate response was action. We read that Abram, “went in pursuit” of that which had been taken. This would not have been a quick, easy pursuit. Dan was a long way from where Abram was living at the time in Hebron, and it would have taken considerable effort to travel this far with a large group of people. At what point do you think that Abram considered giving up? There was no guarantee that they would find Lot, and there was certainly no promise that they would be physically able to liberate Lot from the hands of these people who had swept through the region and conquered many peoples. 

We don’t know how long Abram pursued Lot, but we can imagine there were many nights where Lot would have been looking at the stars wondering what this next stage of life would look like. I wonder if he even thought that anyone would pursue a rescue.

There is not a person alive who does not like being pursued. To know that someone loves us and is determined to find us, know us and be with us is an amazing reality. Who are the people in your life who have pursued you? Whom is God inviting you to pursue relationally with His love today? The crazy part of being pursued is that it is not until after the pursuit that one can fully understand the depth of pursuit. Today, let us marvel at how God has pursued and continues to pursue us.

Reflection

• What is an area of your life where God has pursued you?
• How does God’s ongoing pursuit of you impact your understanding of His love for you?
• How is God inviting you to be a conduit of His love by pursuing others in your life?

Resting in His Redemption 

Take a few minutes and reflect on how God has acted on your behalf. Be reminded through the Prophet Isaiah and Ezekiel there is nothing God has said He would do that He will not accomplish.

Isaiah 46:8-13

⁸ “Remember this and stand firm,

recall it to mind, you transgressors,

⁹ remember the former things of old;

for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me,

¹⁰ declaring the end from the beginning

and from ancient times things not yet done,

saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,

and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

¹¹ calling a bird of prey from the east,

the man of my counsel from a far country.

I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;

I have purposed, and I will do it.

¹² “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,

you who are far from righteousness:

¹³ I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,

and my salvation will not delay;

I will put salvation in Zion,

for Israel my glory.”

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 16

¹¹ “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. ¹² As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.

¹⁶ I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.“

Reclaiming the Truth

“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.” – Genesis 14:13

Redeeming the Time

Lot is captured and his family and possessions are carried off. We are told a person escapes and comes to inform Abram of what has happened. Interestingly, Abram is identified here as, “the Hebrew.” It was understood that Abram loves Lot and would want to know that he has been captured. The last recorded conversation between Abram and Lot was when Lot selfishly took the best land for himself and went his own way. It would be understandable if Abram’s response was one of indifference.  “Well, that’s what he deserves for being selfish and choosing to live near those people. He had it coming.”

What do you think goes through the mind of our God when he sees we have been carried off by deception, temptation, falsehood and selfishness? Is God indifferent? Is God moved?

The crazy part is when we find ourselves carried away by our sinful desires and held captive by our mistakes, we don’t have to hope that someone will run to tell God what has happened to us. We have direct access to God through Jesus. This person came to Abram because he knew that Lot was part of Abram’s family. Years later, Paul reminds us of the family that we are now a part of through Jesus. “For through him, we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2.18-19). Wherever you are and wherever you go, God responds when His children call for help.

Reflection

• Describe a time when you were in need of rescuing.
• What moved you to the point of recognizing your need for help?
• Looking back now, how did God respond to your need for rescuing?

Resting in His Redemption 

Reflect on the words of Isaiah and remember the heart of our God who sees you as his own.

Isaiah 43:1-7

¹ But now thus says the Lord,


he who created you, O Jacob,
    

he who formed you, O Israel:


“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
   

I have called you by name, you are mine.


² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;


when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
   

and the flame shall not consume you.


³ For I am the Lord your God,
    

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.


I give Egypt as your ransom,
    

Cush and Seba in exchange for you.


 Because you are precious in my eyes,
    

and honored, and I love you,


I give men in return for you,
    

peoples in exchange for your life.


Fear not, for I am with you;
   

I will bring your offspring from the east,
    

and from the west I will gather you.

⁶ I will say to the north, Give up,
    

and to the south, Do not withhold;


bring my sons from afar
    

and my daughters from the end of the earth,
⁷

 everyone who is called by my name,
    

whom I created for my glory,
   

 whom I formed and made.”

Reclaiming the Truth

“They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.” – Genesis 14.12

Redeeming the Time

In the previous chapter of Genesis, we learn how Lot and Abram went separate ways to ensure they didn’t cause strife among their people as their wealth grew. Abram gave Lot first choice, and he chose what looked like the best land, but this land happened to be near the city of Sodom, whose people are described as, “wicked, great sinners against the Lord.” (Gen. 13:13) We are not told about Lot’s character at this point, but when we come to chapter 14, it is clear that Lot was swept up in the turmoil around him, resulting in him and his people being carried off into captivity. 

The best land was tainted by sinful people, and the actions of these people brought about great harm for Lot and his family. Today, God gives us choices about where we spend our time, what consumes our thoughts and the people we interact with. Are you aware of the danger that may be lurking nearby? In Genesis 13:12, we see that, “Lot moved his tent as far as Sodom.” Where is your “tent” today? Have you positioned yourself to potentially be swept up in the consequences of others around you?

The beauty of our God is that He can provide everything we need. Contrary to the familiar sentiment that, “God helps those who help themselves,” our God comes along those who humbly admit their need for Him and are willing to live in dependence on Him. Our God is good and He can be trusted…even when we find ourselves in need of rescuing. 

Reflection

• Where is your “tent” (or life) located today?
• How have you experienced getting swept up in the affairs of your surroundings like Lot?
• What goes through your mind when you realize that you need rescuing?

Resting in His Redemption – Psalm 31.1-5

¹  In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame;

in your righteousness deliver me!

  ²    Incline your ear to me;

rescue me speedily!

       Be a rock of refuge for me,

a strong fortress to save me!

  ³    For you are my rock and my fortress;

and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;

  ⁴    you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,

for you are my refuge.

  ⁵    Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

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.