Possessor

"He blessed him and said, 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth... Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth" -Genesis 14.19, 22

God is Most High, He is above all else, and He alone is worthy of worship. That is the first identifier attributed to God by both Melchizedek and Abram, but it is quickly followed by a second identifier, possessor of heaven and earth. God is above all, and being above all, He owns and rules everything that exists. Psalm 24.1 states, "The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains,
the world, and those who dwell in it." Everything you see, and everything you don't (everything the light touches, and even that shadowy part) is God's.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God made man in His own image and set him to rule over and care for His creation. God entrusted the world to man. The world is not ours, but God's. In the movie Kingdom of Heaven there is a quote early on in the movie "What man is a man who does not make the world better?" Later the main character is asked, "Would you make the whole world like Jerusalem?" to which he responds "This is my land. What kind of man would I be if I did not try to make it better?"

The earth is God's. Every unique, beautiful, and dangerous corner of it belongs to Him. He has entrusted its care to us, and it is our responsibility to do so. We are to protect the earth, not strip it for its resources. We are to care for God's possession, not worshiping it, but honoring the one who alone is worthy of worship by taking care of what He has entrusted us with.

God Most High is the possessor of heaven and earth. The earth is the Lord's and all that it contains.

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!

Peace be with you

Most High

"He blessed him and said, 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand... Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'I have sworn to the Lord God Most High'" -Genesis 14.19-20, 22a

Abram has just been in battle, and has emerged as the victorious savior. Melchizedek, a priest/king, comes to meet Abram, as well as the king of Sodom. Tribute is offered and denied, and God is identified as Most High for the first time in Scripture. Three times, and by two different men, God is identified in His proper place, God Most High.

God is above all. He is Most High which means that no one and nothing, can be above Him. God is to be praised and worshiped because of who He is. He is Most High, and alone worthy of praise. Melchizedek twice identifies God as Most High. Abram follows this up with a third identification putting God in His proper place.

As the new year begins, let us begin by realizing who God is, and acknowledging Him in His proper place as God Most High.

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!

Peace be with you

Work For it

"Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, "I have made Abram rich."  I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share."  -Genesis 14:22-24

I've debated on writing this section all day.  I have to be careful how I say what I'm about to write.  As I read these verses I kept thinking about how much of my generation is just looking for a handout like this.  So many don't want to work and feel that they are simply entitled to everything.  And on top if that we have a society that allows them to leech off of it.

It drives me crazy.  I'm all for helping people who need help.  I'm all about reaching out to those who cannot do for themselves for one reason or another.  But I am not a supporter of allowing, and empowering laziness.  And as I read this section I see a man who has no intention of taking a handout.

There is no shame in accepting help, something that I need to remind myself of time and again.  But help and handouts are two different things.  But a man works for what he has.  He invests his time and strength, and the reward is so much better because of what he has put into it.  A man doesn't take what he hasn't earned, and doesn't live off of the hard work of others as he sits lazily and gets fat off of their labor.  A man takes pride in the ability, and opportunity, to work hard.  There is something so satisfying about a hard days work.

Take joy in the opportunity you have to work, but don't be to proud as to refuse necessary help when it is offered.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Defend the Defenseless

"When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people." -Genesis 14.14-16

Today gets into a subject that I feel passionately about. Abram's nephew has been taken captive, and so Abram does something about it. He leads his trained men into battle, defeats the enemy, and rescues those who are prisoners. He's a man, his strength is needed, and so he takes action.

I know the gun debate is hot button right now, and will be most of the year. I'll be the first one to say I love the second amendment. When I have a house, my shotgun will be next to my bed so that I can protect my family if someone breaks into my home during the night. I want to get my concealed carry permit so that if I'm in public, say at a mall, and a shooting happens, I have the ability to do something to stop it.

As a husband and father, it is my responsibility to protect my family. God has blessed me with them, and entrusted me with their care and protection. As a man, God has given me strength and courage to protect society. I have the responsibility to do what I can to make the world a safer place. In times of crisis it is my responsibility to act. It is my job to defend the defenseless.

As men, this is our role and responsibility. We have strength to use on behalf of others. Our strength is ours to protect and serve. We don't go looking for a fight, but we're ready when one comes, and we stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. When we have the ability to act, we must.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor