“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 NLT
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There is an old saying that goes, ‘If I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.’ I suppose that is true if holding good things happening to you is a matter of luck. It is easy to assume that everything bad occurring in life is due to bad luck, therefore the old saying becomes a matter of fact. But is it always luck that is in play in the circumstances of life? Perhaps not. Perhaps it’s something more.
Peter, in writing to Christians of his day, wrote “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.” (1Pt.3:10 nlt) Happy days which lead to an enjoyable life start with always telling the truth and not saying anything that is evil. You will never need to worry about anything coming back at you if you tell the truth. Peter went on to say, “Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and work to maintain it.” (1Pt.3:11 nlt) Doing good things, striving for peace and living in it will never result in negative circumstances. There’s no luck involved.
There is also no bad luck involved when bad things happen. When we are not walking in obedience with the Lord, we should not be so surprised if bad things happen. Peter writes, “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” (1Pt.3:12 nlt) Going our way by turning our backs on God, doing bad deeds, will not result in the Lord’s blessings.
Yes, bad things do happen to faithful Christians under the providence of the Lord for His purposes. But we can be sure His eye is always on us during these times, and he is attentive to our prayers. It is our disobedience that brings about most of our bad times. It is not our bad luck, but our bad deeds.
“Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, ‘Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!’ So the LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, ‘I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River.’” Genesis 15:5, 18 NLT
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Last week in Sunday’s Biblical Insights Abram is visited by the king of Salem, Melchizedek. The king brought a large meal for Abram and his men after their victory over the kings of the north. Melchizedek blessed Abram and he blessed God. Abram gave a gift of one-tenth of all the spoils to the Lord and His servant, Melchizedek. The king of Sodom was present and offered Abram all the goods that were returned to Sodom. Abram in his generosity did not want a thing, only what his men and his allies where entitled to. He would take nothing for himself.
This week in chapter 15, God renews His promise to Abram with a covenant. Chapter 15 opens with God telling Abram in a vision not to be afraid because He is Abram’s protector. Abram may have been afraid of retaliation from the four kings and their armies he had just defeated. Abram may also have had something else on his mind. He said in reply, “O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth.” (Gen.15:2 nlt) Abram was concerned that he still had no children and he wasn’t getting any younger. He suggested to God that his servant Eliezar could be his heir. The custom in Abram’s day was that if a couple was childless they could adopt one the servants to be the heir. Abram was asking permission to do so.
The Lord said no to Abram’s request. He had other plans. Abram and Sarai would have a son, yes, in their old age. God then directed Abram outside and said, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” (Gen.15:5 nlt) In ancient Palestine more than 8,000 stars were visible in the dark sky of a Near Eastern night. The enormous amount of stars in the sky was God’s illustration of the promise to come. Abram believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. This is the first time ‘believe’ and ‘righteousness’ are used in the Bible. This is the core foundation of justification by faith. Abram believed God. When one believes God and His plan for salvation without any works involved on our own, it is counted to us as righteousness. God sees Jesus’ righteousness in us as we accept Him as Lord and savior.
Abram believed God and asked how he could be sure of His promises. He asked in faith believing, not suspecting if God’s promises were true. God is going to confirm His promises to Abram with a covenant, a legal binding agreement with a formal expression of intent. “The LORD told him, ‘Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.’” (Gen.15:9 nlt) Abram was to gather these animals suitable for sacrifice. Three years old was the prime age for animal sacrifices. A serious covenant is sealed with blood. Abram then cut the animals in half, but not the birds, laying their pieces side by side. The idea is walking through the two halves seals the covenant by saying if I break it, may the same thing be done to me.
“As the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came down over him.” (Gen.15:12 nlt) God caused a deep sleep to come over Abram. Abram did not need to walk through the pieces. The ratifying of the covenant did not depend on him, but on God. Our salvation does not depend on us, but on God. The Lord gives Abram a preview of his descendants before they enter the Promised Land. “Then the LORD said to Abram, ‘You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. After four generations your descendants will return here to this land.’” (Gen.15:13-14, 16 nlt) The Lord is assuring Abram his descendants they will occupy the land as promised.
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“After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses.” (Gen.15:17 nlt) The Lord God passed through the pieces represented by the smoking firepot and a flaming torch. In ancient times this solemnized a covenant. It was only necessary for God to pass through the pieces. This covenant is God’s alone. It cannot fail because God does not fail. The Lord God keeps His promises. “So the LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, ‘I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River.’” (Gen.15:18 nlt) The Lord gives Abram the specific boundaries of the land and the current occupants as a definite acquisition, it will happen. The children of Israel did move into the Promised Land, but they have not possessed its entirety to this day. But God’s promise to Abram still stands. Israel will possess all the land promised them when Christ returns to rule from Jerusalem. Our Lord keeps His promises.
“Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon.” Revelation 13:11 NLT
“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” Matthew 7:15 NLT
I am going through the book of Revelation this month as part of my private devotions. As I read the first verse of the reading in the devotional for today (3/17/26) it struck me, this certainly applies to today. Now I’m not an expert in eschatology and do not claim to know all things pertaining to the last days, but what is predicted in Scripture is beginning to be seen in our day and age, at least from a symbolic point of view. It is easy to agree how some of the things that will occur during the tribulation period is a fact when we see examples of it in our generation.
Revelation 13 describes another beast rising up out of the earth. This is the final false prophet that will appear. He will have religious authority and will demand that the antichrist, the political and military leader, to be worshiped as God. The Bible says he will have two horns like a lamb. He will come as a harmless lamb speaking in a soft tone. His message will be smooth and attractive to many, but with the deception of Satan’s lies. Jesus warns us in His ‘Sermon on the Mount’ to beware of false prophets who disguise themselves as harmful sheep but are actually vicious wolves. This would indicate that false prophets are not reserved for the end times but are with us today.
All we need to do is scan the latest news headlines. Observe those who the media is focused on and listen to their words. Listen to their tone. Noticing their sincere smiling faces. Do some homework and fact-check what they are saying, both from history and the Word of God. An honest check, accepting the results you find, will lead you to realize they are who Jesus said they are, vicious wolves speaking as soft-spoken lambs. Our generation needs to understand this deception is all around us. Satan is not about to give up. His time is running short and he will use any smiling face he can find. Beware of today’s soft-spoken lambs.
“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NLT
Have you ever imagined yourself living in another time and place? Perhaps you fantasized of living during the Renaissance Era in Europe, the Colonial Days of the 17th and 18th centuries or the so-called Fabulous 50’s in America. Whatever your dreams or fantasies, rest assured that you are where you are today by Divine design. It is not by chance. God has placed each of us in the space of time and location by His choosing.
The story of “Esther” in the Old Testament is an excellent example of God’s Divine providence. Esther was in a position, by highly usual circumstances, I might add, to keep her people, the Jews, from annihilation. (Esther 3:12-13) She was in the right place at the right time because the Lord had placed her there. We also are in the right place and time by God’s Divine Providence.
We may not be in such a dilemma as Esther, but it is a matter of eternal life and death. God places each of us to carry out His purposes by being obedient and faithful where he has placed us. You may ask yourself, “Why I am here, at this place, during this time?” You are here to carry out God’s purposes in telling others the Good News of His Son, Jesus Christ right where he has placed you. It is a matter of life and death and our time is now.
“I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” (1Cor.2:3-5 nlt)
“Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:37-38 NLT
Today is day thirty of Lent if you are keeping track. Perhaps if you did not know it is day thirty it is because you have lost all track of time due to your rich experience with the Lord during this season. Or the opposite is true in that you have slowly drifted away from your Lenten commitment to grow closer to the Lord. There may be several reasons for this, and I am sure some legitimate ones.
For those who had good intentions but have a tough time fulfilling them, you are not alone. Jesus told Peter, James, and John they had a willing spirit, but their bodies were weak. Jesus had asked them to watch with Him for one hour, not 40 days, and they could not do it. Yes, it was night and they were exhausted, but the Lord wanted their attention and their company during his agony in the garden. They had a challenging time doing it.
Jesus gave them two more chances to watch and pray and they failed again. The disciples were human just as we are. Our Lord knew that and He is aware we are human and we fail. The Lord wants to have an on-going growing relationship with each of His children. A suitable time to get back into rhythm is during Lent. Again, our commitments during Lent are to draw us into a deeper relationship with God. We do not do it for merit. Our rewards are the sweetness of the savior as we grow in Him.
There are 10 days left in this Lenten season. If you have not started anything yet, start now! If you are behind by slowing down or have quit altogether, there are 10 days left. Let us make the most of them. Jesus is telling us, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Mk.14:38 nlt)
There is a chorus of an old hymn that goes like this, “Lord, lift me up and let me stand By faith on heaven’s table land; A higher plane than I have found-Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” The hymn writer’s desire is heaven, the higher ground. I’m sure that’s a song many Christians relate to in our struggling days. That got me to thinking. Actually King David got me to thinking when he wrote in the Psalm 143, “Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (143:10 esv)
We know heaven is a glorious place, free from the cares and sorrows of this world, yes, a much higher and desired place. Those of us who know the Lord are sure to be there and are looking forward to it, but in the meantime we are away from our heavenly home here in a rocky and dry land. There are many hills and valleys we go through every day of our lives. There is no level playing field in this world, but we have a God who is able to level the ground for us.
His Holy Spirit is there to guide us. May we not neglect His presence in our lives. He is able to lift us up from the deepest valley and guide us down a slippery slope of anxiety and fear. When we are trusting in God and asking Him to teach us to do His will, we can be sure He will lead us on level ground. So, as we look forward to that ‘higher ground’ let us rejoice we can walk today on ‘level ground.’
Have you ever traveled outside your own country either on business or a vacation? When your guide left you for a little free time on your own, how comfortable did you feel? Did you fit in as if you were one of the locals? Probably not. If we as Christians can not say that about living in this world, then something is drastically wrong. Peter addressed the Christians of his day in writing to them as ‘foreigners and exiles.’ (1Pt.2:11) They were living in a foreign land where they did not fit in. Christians today are still living in a foreign land. We may feel at home, but again that is a problem. The Lord has placed us in the country of our origin in this life, but this is not our home, heaven is. And when he has placed us here, He has given us a job to do, ‘faithfully preach the truth.’ So, it is time to get uncomfortable.
Paul, the apostle and a contemporary of Peter, is the greatest example of living as an exile outside of Jesus Himself. Paul found himself exiled from his own people after his conversion to Christ. He was a Jewish scholar studying under Gamaliel and became the strictest of Pharisees. His mission in life was to persecute the Christians, including death. When Paul started preaching Christ as Lord, he became an enemy of the Jewish leaders who were his peers. Paul’s life changed dramatically from being one the Jewish elites to going hungry, imprisoned, and being beaten. Paul had become uncomfortable in more ways than one with the world, physically and also with the pleasures the world had to offer. Paul’s mission now was to ‘faithfully preach the truth.’
Paul encourages us as he encouraged the church in Corinth to live as examples of Christ in a fallen world as he was doing. We are to live in purity, being patience and kind, and show sincere love. (2Cor.6:6) Paul knew the Christians in Corinth would begin to feel as exiles in their own country when they started to feel uncomfortable with the world. He knew that would be hard for them, but also knew there is joy in serving the Lord. (2Cor.6:10) The same holds true for us. Yes, we want people to like us, but this is not our home. We should live as exiles preaching the truth of salvation, bringing as many people as we can to our home country, the heavenly kingdom.
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT
“She’s all heart.” “He has a warm and caring heart.” “Their love comes from the heart.” “They have sensitive hearts to the situation.” All these statements reflect an outward appearance of people’s demeanor towards others. And I am sure that most of what we see is real concern in treating others with kindness. We should all strive to have like comments be made of us, but a examination of our hearts is necessary to insure that the label put on us is genuine. After all, what does it mean to have a warm and caring heart, a heart of gold?
Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Young wrote about his search for a heart of gold. Trying to determine his true meaning in writing ‘Heart of Gold’ proves difficult as with any gifted artist. It has been suggested the songwriter’s quest was to better himself, to be a good caring person showing love, kindness, and openness in order to be able to properly love the girl of his dreams. Therefore he was searching for that heart of gold to match his girlfriend’s heart of gold. According to the artist himself, he states it was to ‘capture a moment of happiness.’ He was correct. Searching for that heart of gold is but for a moment when dealing with a human heart not indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
The universal problem is that all human beings possess the sin nature from birth, and that includes our hearts. Jesus confirms this truth to His disciples in explaining a parable. “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth……. the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.” (Mt.15:11, 18nlt) The religious leaders in Jesus’s day were more concerned with traditional outward appearances which made them look like they had a heart of gold towards God. But Jesus said their actions were hypocritical. They put on a show of ceremonial washing their hands to not defile their bodies from the food they ate, but Jesus tells them it is the thoughts they have in their hearts and what they speak from those thoughts that defiles them.
Christian friend, we need to guard our hearts. To have a warm and caring heart we need to stand guard against the influences of the world, our own self –centeredness, pride, and evil those thoughts. Those of us who know the Lord have changed hearts through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let us be careful to walk by the Spirit so we do not carry out the sinful desires of the flesh, but present to God a ‘heart of gold.’
“Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.’” Genesis 14:19-20 NLT
Abram had won a battle over the four kings from the north who had taken his nephew Lot and his family captive and stolen all his belongings. Lot, as we reviewed last week, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. His desire to live the good life caused him to compromise his values and eventually settled for life in the sin-city of Sodom. The king of Sodom along with the kings of Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar, were about to be attacked by the kings of the north, and Lot was a sitting duck. Abram stepped in with his trained men and rescued Lot and the city of Sodom. Afterward, the king of Sodom set out to meet Abram to show him his appreciation.
The liberated “king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).” (Gen.14:17 nlt) This valley was one of the several valleys near Jerusalem, named Salem in ancient times. Possibly this could have been the ‘Kidron Valley.’ Abram and the king of Sodom are met by a historical figure, Melchizedek, a priest and king of Salem. “And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.” (Gen.14:18 nlt) Melchizedek’s name means ‘king of righteousness’ or ‘righteous king.’ Being a priest and a king, many biblical scholars identify him as a ‘type of Christ’ figure. David writes in the book of Psalms concerning the coming Messiah, “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’” (Ps.110:1, 4 nlt)
This priest and king, Melchizedek, brought food for Abram and his men. This was more than bread and wine but signifies a large meal or a banquet in recognition of their victory over their enemies. It was also a symbol of friendship and hospitality. Scripture doesn’t provide us much background about Melchizedek other than he was a worshiper of the true God. His references to God as ‘God most high’ and ‘creator of heaven and earth’ points us in that direction of Melchizedek’s faith and knowledge of the Lord God. This kingly priest did two things, he blessed Abram and he blessed God. “Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.’” (Gen.14:19-20 nlt) Melchizedek gives all the credit for Abram’s victory to God. Abram also is aware the victory came from the Lord God. Abram gave a tenth of the spoils to the Lord and his servant Melchizedek in gratitude for Lord’s victory.
The king of Sodom now makes an offer to Abram for his returning the people and goods of his city, Sodom. The king only wants his people back and Abram can keep all the goods. “Abram replied to the king of Sodom, ‘I solemnly swear to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, I am the one who made Abram rich.’” (Gen.14:22-23 nlt) Abram was careful not to allow himself to be obligated to anyone but the Lord. How tempting that must have been to not take advantage of what some might say was certainly deserved. Abram made it an oath not to accept anything. Accepting this offer would have negative results for Abram. People would be able to say that part of Abram’s wealth came from the king of Sodom. The king of Sodom may see it as an opportunity to lord himself over Abram. Abram did not go into this battle for personal gain, but to rescue his family. Accepting the offer would also show a lack of trust in God to supply his needs and finally Abram wanted no part of the king of Sodom and his wicked city.
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Abram’s faith in God and his godly character is shown at the end of chapter 14 as he requests to receive only what his men had already eaten and for his allies to share the spoils among themselves. Abram looked out for the men who serve him and for those who aligned with him in this battle. This man of faith was also a man of fairness and generosity.
Next week, the Lord’s covenant promise to Abram…………
Scripture is quite clear of God’s love for His chosen people, the Jews. God chose Abram to leave his homeland and go to a place He would lead him. The Lord spoke to Abram saying, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen.12:2-3 nlt) God has fulfilled His promise to Abram. Israel became a great nation, the Jewish people have been a blessing to the world, and all the families of the world are blessed through Abraham’s seed in the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
God’s love has never wavered for Israel even through their times of sinful idolatry recorded in the Old Testament. The Jews were punished severely for their sins by having their land destroyed and being taken captive to foreign kingdoms. But God had grace and mercy on His chosen people and brought back into the land due to His promised covenant and His love for them. The Jews are indeed God’s chosen people. Throughout history nations who have blessed and supported Israel were blessed, and those who have not, were not blessed, but cursed.
The nations of the world in 2026 have had a close eye on Israel since the terrorist attack by Hamas in October of 2023. There are sympathizers on both sides. Here’s a word to the nations who support Hamas and other extremists such as the radical Islamists in Iran by agreeing with their ideology. The Jews are still God’s chosen people. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied against Mount Seir, also known as Edom, after the bloodshed they caused against the Jews trying to escape their Babylonian captors. “Your eternal hatred for the people of Israel led you to butcher them when they were helpless, when I had already punished them for all their sins. For you said, ‘The lands of Israel and Judah will be ours. We will take possession of them. What do we care that the LORD is there!’” (Ez.35:5, 10 nlt) Sounds a lot like 2026, the 1930’s and ‘40’s Germany, and all through history. God’s chosen people have always been under attack.
God’s Word still stands true today, “Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you.” (Num.24:9 nlt) Edom was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in the sixth century B.C. and again by John Hyrcanus, a Hasmonean (Maccabean) leader in 126 B.C… There is no trace of the Edomites in our current day. Curse is everyone who curses Israel.
The United States and many other nations across the world have been supportive of Israel for many years. These nations must be careful not to let their support wane. The United Nations as a governing body hasn’t been much help in garnishing support for Israel. The United States, as the leader of the free world in 2026, has the advantage to take the lead in their support for Israel. As a citizen of the United States and a Christian, I realized America has been blessed beyond measure for our support of God’s chosen people. May the current administration continue and enhance the United States’ support for Israel. For God says, blessed is everyone who blesses Israel.
Word for the Soul 