DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday, March 30, 2022
TOPIC: Peacemaker Or Peace Taker?
KEY VERSE:
“And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.” – (Genesis 13:8)
DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday, March 30, 2022 OUTLINE
Telemachus was a monk who lived in the early 5th century. In prayer one day, he heard God saying to him, “Go to Rome”. When he arrived the city, he found people thronging to the Coliseum to watch the gladiators fight to kill each other for entertainment, despite Christianity being the religion of the Roman Empire for decades. He ran to the Coliseum and heard the gladiators say, “Hail Caesar, we who are about to die salute you”.
Telemachus ran in between them and cried, “In the name of Christ, forbear”. But encouraged by the crowd who would have nothing interrupt their entertainment, Telemachus was stabbed to death by one of the gladiators. A hush came over the 80,000 people in the Coliseum, and within minutes, all had left. When the story of the monk was heard by Emperor Horatius, the games were permanently banned, and this incident became the last known gladiatorial contest in the history of Rome.
Abram, in our text, took the initiative to resolve a conflict that had the potential of causing a rift between him and Lot. He got the call of God. Lot, his brother’s son, was just to accompany him on his journey. Abram was so generous that He gave Lot a free hand to grow and prosper, which could not have been if he was selfish and wicked. There was a strife between his herdsmen and those of Lot, his nephew, over grazing rights, as their cattle and possessions increased. Abram, though the elder and leader of the pack, gave Lot the right of first choice. He had enough grace to mediate peacefully without allowing his own interests to prevail.
Abram knew what many do not know today – little is much when God is in it. We should be content with the things we have. We would not fight over properties, privileges and positions today if we understand that God rules over everything and owns all things.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Are you a peacemaker or peace taker?
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Nehemiah 8-10
