After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King’s Valley). Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the possessions for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand in an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or sandal strap or anything that belongs to you, so you can never say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing except what the servants have eaten. But as for the share of the men who came with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre—they can take their share.” —Genesis 14:17-24
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11
“I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” —John 10:10
“The Lord…is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9
To live out God’s plan for your life,
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:25
“Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” —Genesis 12:1-3
“(Melchizedek) brought out bread and wine.” —Genesis 14:18
“Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you.” —Genesis 14:19-20
In our walk with God, we must
“They forgot the Lord their God…” —Judges 8:34
How have you walked with God through the plan he is unfolding for your life?
For further study:
Scripture: Psalm 110; Hebrews 5
Resources: “Even the Sparrow” by Jill Weber
Discussion questions:
What emotions rise up in your thinking about walking with God for his plan for your life?
How have you seen God walk with you in adversity?
How have you seen God walk with you in failure?
How have you seen God walk with you in victory?
How does the invitation to rest inform your walking with God?
How does the invitation to remember inform your walking with God?
To prepare for next week: The Abrahamic Covenant; Genesis 15:1-20