Readings
Genesis 14:14-16 (NIV)
When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.
1 Samuel 30:1-8 (NIV)
David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives had been captured— Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue."
Ephesians 4:7-8 (KJV) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Verse 6b ‘...But David found strength in the LORD his God.’ That has to be the key to anything we do in order to succeed. His strength, not ours.
Three different stories. The OT ones, restoring what the enemy had taken, the verses from Ephesians showing to us the victory Christ had. He has already paid the price, the enemy is defeated, there is nothing left to pay; we need to reclaim the stolen treasures! (I hate the thought of losing things, -worse than that, I hate things being stolen, the thought of allowing someone the pleasure of my property. Someone asked me about the motivation to work in the harbour. I told him that a thief inspired me!)
The devil might be defeated but he still wages warfare, typical of him to lie and cheat, his target is men and women especially those who do not understand who and what we are in Christ. He loves to steal back people he no longer has any right to.
(Exodus 19:5) ‘Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine.’ God said to Israel, the whole earth is mine, I have created it but you are special. I have called you and set you apart, "treasured possession".
(Deuteronomy 7:6) ‘For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.’ There you begin to see the principles of ownership and the value God places on his people.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) ‘Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.’ The price was immense, the description in the scriptures of God’s people are both treasure or glorious inheritance.
(Ephesians 4:30) ‘And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.’
(2 Timothy 2:19) ‘Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness,"’
Who are we in Christ? If we turn quickly to a topical bible, you will get some indication. Treasured possession - Chosen by the Lord -Exalted - Guided - Prepared for service - Zealous - Law written on hearts - The Elect - Called Chosen ones. So if we are all of that to God, why must we walk around, accepting defeat and living in despair.
What we have in Christ cannot be surpassed, (Matthew 13:44) ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in afield. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.’
Revelation 3 puts our position in Christ into perspective, (Revelation 3:17) ‘You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.’ The arrogance of self importance means nothing in spiritual terms. We can name drop for all we want, we can make all the claims to spirituality that we can. We can go on courses, pay for seminars, learn the books of the Bible etc. BUT (Revelation 3:18) ‘I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.’
Gold = True riches in Christ. - Our only source of hope. White Clothes = Covering our destitution, our spiritual nakedness.
Eye Salve = Spiritual blindness restored.
All that is about what we truly are in Christ Jesus.
What’s been stolen from you?
What has Satan’s raiding party taken into captivity. Self-esteem is often the first to go. Who you are in Christ: Talents: Time with the Lord: Time spent serving the Lord: Godly standards: Finances: Emotions: Ministry to others: Ministry Gifts:
Have you discovered that if you give the devil and inch he will take over your life? - There are too many of us who have been carried into captivity, the joy of our salvation has gone and the last thing we feel is that we are God’s treasured possessions!
Restoration and reclamation is certainly needed.
(Psalm 80:3) ‘Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.’ (Psalm 85:6) ‘Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?’ (Psalm 126:4-6) ‘Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.’
Restoration comes at a price of commitment.
In the stories we commenced with Genesis 14 and 1 Samuel 30, both Abram and David enquired of the Lord and then went to the enemy committed to a fight. In both cases God gave them success.
We must learn afresh, and understand that you belong to the Lord, the price has been paid! Yet there is a time and I believe there is no better time than the present to reclaim treasures which that lying cheating devil has stolen.
God is restoring his people. We have seen what he is doing amongst us. Get in the centre of his restoration.
