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.“
