God’s Pre-Emptive Grace

“Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Ps. 121:4. “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil . . . .” V. 7. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is wholly with Him.” 2 Chron. 16:9.

The Lord watches over a soul who is devoted to Him. He is always ahead of Satan when he is about to tempt someone. He does not hinder Satan from testing and tempting, but He is always there before Satan, strengthening us so powerfully that we can both bear the temptation and its conclusion. We receive help at the right time (Heb. 4:16) from Him who is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Abram was strengthened before he met the king of Sodom. The king of Sodom went out to meet Abram. Gen. 14:17. However, Melchizedek, king of Salem forestalled him by bringing bread and wine to Abram, for he was the priest of the Most High God. See verse 18. He blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Vs. 19-20.

Abram was strengthened with bread and wine, and was blessed by the priest of the Most High God.

The king of Sodom came afterwards and said, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.”

But Abram was victorious. He had just been strengthened and had just heard that God was the possessor of heaven and earth, therefore he said that he would take nothing from a thread to a sandal strap from the king of Sodom, lest he would say, “I have made Abram rich.” Therefore Abram could say, “I will take nothing.”

Our High Priest also meets us with bread and wine even before “the king of Sodom” is permitted to tempt us. Just as Melchizedek came to Abram with help at the right time, so “our Melchizedek” is also a faithful High Priest.

Aksel Smith