Clear Victory
Then [Abram] brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
GENESIS 14:16
+
Clear Victory
Abraham makes use of a military stratagem both when he attacks the enemy at night and when he attacks with a divided army . . . so the enemy, thrown into disorder by fear and danger, suppose that a countless multitude is present and turn to flight. The weapons frighten them, but it is actually the faith of Abraham and of his people that defeats them and puts them to flight. . .. Just as many people were saved through Abram and because of Lot . . . so it still happens that whatever good thing the world has, it has solely thanks to the saints on earth and because of them. Hence when you see God's blessing, you would be doing the right thing if you encouraged yourself and reflected that there is still a Church on earth and that the holy seed has not perished altogether, even though it is small in number, and that because of it God shows kindness to all the rest of the world. . . This account also serves to make you see how the pious are always being trained by their own adversities, that they may be cleansed more and more and daily become more pious. For the elect all things work together for good (Romans 8:28), even the rod and the cross. The flesh is mortified, faith is strengthened, and the gift of the Holy Spirit is increased.
GENESIS 14:16
+
Clear Victory
Abraham makes use of a military stratagem both when he attacks the enemy at night and when he attacks with a divided army . . . so the enemy, thrown into disorder by fear and danger, suppose that a countless multitude is present and turn to flight. The weapons frighten them, but it is actually the faith of Abraham and of his people that defeats them and puts them to flight. . .. Just as many people were saved through Abram and because of Lot . . . so it still happens that whatever good thing the world has, it has solely thanks to the saints on earth and because of them. Hence when you see God's blessing, you would be doing the right thing if you encouraged yourself and reflected that there is still a Church on earth and that the holy seed has not perished altogether, even though it is small in number, and that because of it God shows kindness to all the rest of the world. . . This account also serves to make you see how the pious are always being trained by their own adversities, that they may be cleansed more and more and daily become more pious. For the elect all things work together for good (Romans 8:28), even the rod and the cross. The flesh is mortified, faith is strengthened, and the gift of the Holy Spirit is increased.
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Faith Comes By HearingAll Day LongThe Lord Keeps for HimselfSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out
February
GreetingsAble to StrengthenAuthorityBlessed BeRedemption in His BloodSpiritual BlessingsGive ThanksDead Men WalkingBy GraceImmeasurable RichesBy GraceGod's WorkmanshipSeparatedBrought NearNo More HostilityTotal AccessFellow CitizensFor This ReasonMystery RevealedLeast of AllEternal PurposeFaith in HimSpiritual StrengthAbundant GiftWalk in LoveChrist's MeasureGifts to MenUnity of the FaithTo and Fro
March
Truth in LoveWalking a New PathA New SelfPut Away FalsehoodNew LifeImitators of GodSons of DisobedienceChildren of LightThe Will of the LordOne FleshFilled with the SpiritThe Church SubmitsChrist LovesProfound MysteryChildren of PromiseBring Them UpBondservants of ChristYour MasterStrong in the Lord