Faith Takes Action

Read: Genesis 14:8-20

Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. Genesis 14:18

IN WORD

We don’t know where he came from or where he went. Scripture is silent on the background of Melchizedek. All we know is he is both a king and a priest; his name means “king of righteousness”; he is the king of Salem, or literally shalom, which sounds virtually identical to “prince of peace”; and he comes with bread and wine and a blessing.

It’s hard not to pick up on the messianic symbolism of this character. Some even believe he is the preincarnate Christ, an ancient appearance of Jesus Himself. Regardless, this encounter is a divine endorsement of Abram’s endeavor. His pursuit of the invading kings far beyond his own region was the right thing to do. His aggressive approach was commended, even though it seems a little uncharacteristic for the usually docile patriarch. God sent someone to bless Abram because, in this case, faith wasn’t the final word.

Think about that. This father of faith who would wait decades for a promised son didn’t just sit in his tent and believe God would resolve everything for him in this situation. He didn’t wait when the situation was urgent. He trusted God not to recover everything for him but to recover everything through him. His faith led to action.

IN DEED

We need to understand this. Faith is the currency of God’s Kingdom, but faith isn’t always passive. Sometimes faith waits for decades, and sometimes it prompts us to get up and do something now. When the enemy is on a rampage, passivity is not an option. It isn’t the Kingdom way. We may receive from God through faith and patience, but we confront the enemy with faith and urgency. Some things simply have to be addressed right away.

Learn to discern the difference. Never be passive toward evil. When you ask for the Kingdom of God to come, you are asking for rival kingdoms to go. And in God’s strength, you play a part in the transition.

ADDITIONAL READING: James 2:14-26

Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.

WILLIAM CAREY