Clean House!

Many things had happened in the life of Abram. He had gone to war to save his nephew caught in a war between several nations. Against all odds, Abram with his 318 trained men born in his household, successfully pursued the armies of four kingdoms and defeated them. This feat could only have been possible with the help of God. Abram acknowledged this by giving a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek, the king of Salem. "After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; Your reward [for obedience] shall be very great" (Genesis 15:1, AMP). 

  In the previous chapter, we saw Abram refuse the overtures of the king of Sodom to share in the spoils of war. The way Abram puts it was quite enlightening. He said: "But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand and sworn an oath to the Lord God Most High, the Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take anything that is yours, from a thread to a sandal strap, so you could not say, ‘I [the King of Sodom] have made Abram rich'" (Genesis 14:22-23, AMP). One could deduce from Abram's statement that the only reason he joined in the fight, and on the side of the king of Sodom was because his nephew was taken. 

 As the New Year begins, we cannot afford to walk or work successfully in it with the wares of the kingdom of darkness. If one should, then the enemy has a legal right to come as he pleases in the person's life. Such a person is set up to be defeated on all fronts. You might claim this can be challenging in these times. But remember, God's Word is true and eternal! The children of Israel learnt a hard lesson of this when they went to battle with Ai. Ai was a small nation with few people compared with Israel, yet they defeated them and chased them from their borders. Why? Achan coveted and took of the spoils of Jericho which they have been commanded to destroy. For this reason, God told Joshua: "That is why the soldiers of Israel could not stand [and defend themselves] before their enemies; they turned their backs [and ran] before them, because they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from among you...“There are things under the ban among you, O Israel. You cannot stand [victorious] before your enemies until you remove the things under the ban from among you" (Joshua 7:12-13b, AMP). 

 Beloved, search your heart, are there things of Jericho and Sodom you have carried into the year, if so, you are only setting yourself up for a year of struggling and failure! Fo Abram's stand, God acknowledged His obedience and loyalty, and blessed him! As we walk and work through the year and beyond, till Jesus comes to take us home, we must work in increasing obedience to that which pleases Him: "And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]" (Philippians 1:9-10, AMP). 

      Don't harden your heart like the rich young man in Mark 10:17-22, because you have acquired a lot or you have become accustomed to the things. God is not impressed with outward shows of piety without the inner fruits of the Spirit. Beloved, it is time to clean the house and walk in truth and obedience, after all, I believe you would prefer God with you than against you this year and beyond. God bless you as you do this, in Jesus Christ Name. HAPPY NEW YEAR!