July 10, 2019: SOAP #3506:  Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; [at the same time the following incident takes place]
Genesis (NIV) 14:21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

Observation:  Abram and his servants had regained all the captives and plunder that had been robbed from his camp and from Sodom.  The king of Sodom told Abram to return the people but keep all the “goods.”   It was a logical offer, but Abram was living on a higher level.  He was living/working for “the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth;” he was not working for the king of Sodom.  He did not need any wages or rewards from man.  His welfare depended on God alone.

What a special blessing Abram received as God promised, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)

Application:   I know it is right to work for wages, but…  I wonder how many times I might have settled for “man’s” reward and not been willing to wait for God’s “very great reward.”  When God gives me a special assignment out of my ordinary daily routine… when God calls me to enter the battle on behalf of someone else… when God brings a temporary opportunity… I can do it for His pleasure with my pay being His smile.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Surely the greatest pleasure of life will be hearing you say, “Well done,” and seeing your smile.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!