Making Time

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.”

Four kings went to fight against five kings, one of whom was the king of Sodom, where Lot lives. The four kings defeated the five kings and conquered Sodom, taking Lot, his family, and all their possessions. Lot is in trouble because he is in the wrong place with the wrong people. Yet, Abram, even though he is totally outnumbered by the armies of four kings, takes his 380 trained servants and goes to rescue Lot, and God gives him a resounding victory.

Because Lot was in the wrong, Abram did not have to go and rescue him. However, Jesus exhorts us to leave the 99 sheep and to go after the one that has strayed away. (Luke 15:4-7) We often are so preoccupied with and protective of the ninety-nine that we fail to go after the one that is lost. Yet, that is exactly where God’s blessings and provision lie. God’s heart is for the lost, and He empowers those who seek the lost. Signs and wonders follow those who are involved with God seeking and saving the lost.

Abraham had a huge enterprise to run. He had 380 trained servants, who I’m sure were not sitting around looking for something to do. Yet, when Abram hears of the need, he drops everything and invests all his resources to rescue Lot. In the parable of the lost sheep and lost coin, there is a total investment of time and energy in finding and rescuing the lost. Jesus said in Matthew 18:11, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” And again in Luke 15:7 He says, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

God has empowered us by His spirit to reach the lost. Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” God invested His son to reach us when we were lost and in rebellion against Him. He pursued us by His spirit, convicting us of sin, and drawing us to himself. God made time for you and me.

God abundantly blessed Abram because he took of his time and resources to rescue Lot, his family, and all that he had. How much time and resources do we spend in reaching the lost? As we make time for what is important to God, we will come into the blessings of Abraham and be a blessing to the world.

Andy Clark