The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Genesis 14-16
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people
Background Information: Genesis 14-16
Melchizedek was an ancient king of Salem (the name means peace). He, along with another king from wicked Sodom, came to meet Abram after his success in battle. Abram accepted the simple provisions offered by Melchizedek and gave him a tenth of the spoils in return. He rejected the businesslike offer of the king of Sodom because it would indicate he was relying on that king rather than on his God. This choice to trust God and not in human kings or their wealth demonstrated that the faith of Abram was truly real. In the next chapter God affirms that faith (15:6) and reaffirms his covenant with Abram. In a vision, this covenant is marked with a solemn ceremony where traditionally both parties walk between the torn halves of a sacrificed animal. In his vision only God, symbolized by a flaming pot of fire, passes through alone. God alone will assure that this covenant is kept even if Abram fails in his part–and fail he will. The very next chapter Abram’s sincere but fickle faith fails when he doesn’t trust the promise of God, but takes matters in his own hands by trying to secure a covenant son through Hagar, a servant of his wife. In Hebrews, Jesus is said to be a priest in the order of Melchizedek. The Jewish people acknowledged the greatness of Abraham, and yet he gave a tithe offering to Melchizedek. The logic is that the lesser tithes to the greater. Jesus is represented by this king. He is greater than the father of the Jewish people. These historic events and the faith of Abram seen here are mentioned twice by Paul (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6) and once by James (2:23). Abram, like all those who are saved by God, was saved by faith and not by his own actions. If we had to save ourselves, we would all be hopelessly lost. Even the great faith of Abram failed him. Jesus has kept the covenant that we could not.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God to use the ministry of Hope’s Gate to make the love of Christ known to women working in the sex industry. Pray that these women would trust Christ.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.