Daily Devotionals

I will not take so much as a thread or a sandal thong of anything that is yours (Genesis 14:23).

Avram (Abram) had just achieved a major victory over the five kings from the east. His victory not only saved his nephew Lot, but also rendered a great service to the king of Sedom (Sodom), whom he addresses in today's Scripture passage. Yet Avram accepts none of the spoils of war, taking instead only food for his men. He lets his allies make their own decisions about the booty.

Avram always protected his allegiance to the Lord. Here, he exercised faith by rejecting the king of Sedom's offer of booty. Taking booty would have obligated Avram, making him a vassal of the king. Avram brushed aside the offer with the words michut ve'ad serokh na'al ("as a thread or a sandal thong"). In other words, "[I will accept] no booty from the thinnest thread for a shirt to the thickest thread for a shoe, nor anything in between! Only the Lord will receive credit for my wealth!" Avram boldly told the king.

Immediately, God rewards Avram's faith with the promise, "Don't be afraid ...I am your protector; your reward will be very great" (Genesis 15:1). Faith requires a clean commitment on our part. Once the decision is made and acted upon, be assured God will respond. Avram exercised faith and exalted God in his life. God protected and rewarded him thereafter.

...exercise faith to magnify God in my life.

JEF