January 21: Genesis 14:17-20
Key Verse: Genesis 14:20
And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Devotion:
When Abram returned from defeating the four kings who had dared to steal good and kidnap his relative Lot, Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High came out to celebrate the successful return. He blessed Abram with the name of the God Most High. Abram’s response was to give the priest a tenth of everything!
Abram knew it was God who was responsible for him getting to catch up with the kings and defeat them so he could return with all the goods and his relative Lot. When offered all the goods to keep, Abram rejected the offer saying he had already made a promise to God to not accept anything from the king of Sodom, only the food given to him.
When you make promises to God, how well do you keep those promises? Do you get swayed by the things offered you after things have gone your way? Do you accept all the praise and continue to demand praise? Or are you ready to humble yourself before God and allow God to get all of the praise for allowing things to go your way?
We must always remember God, the Creator of everything, the most Holy, the One who deserves all of the praise for everything He allows into our lives and for the guidance He continues to give us all the time. When we succeed because we listened to God, we must surely praise Him for the guidance, strength and stamina given to us in the first place!
Points to Ponder:
Do you always give praise where it is due?
Or do you accept praise for things done by others?