Tuesdays with Abraham

Read 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. (NKJV)

Lot’s in trouble. Seemingly without hesitation, Abram responds. He raises an army among his men and moves quickly to the rescue. Like one of the epic battles of a great movie saga, Abram moves out with the moral high ground on his side. He is the champion that must rescue those swept away by evil intent. And rescue them, he does. I think the message for us in this remarkable moment comes when we consider Abram’s decision to act. He stepped into the moment, not because someone had stolen from him, but because those he loved had been mistreated. Abram wouldn’t stand by for that. Jesus reacted the same way. He didn’t rise to His own defense when unfair accusations were raised against Him, but when the “little ones” in His life—those unable to stand for themselves—were attacked, He acted swiftly and with moral outrage. Those who act on behalf of others are labeled as a hero.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God. National Men’s Leadership Conference: March 8-10, 2012 . Dallas, Texas . www.men.ag.org