Guarding The Sacrifice

Sunday, March 15

Genesis 15:11 (NIV)

“Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.”

Devotion

In Genesis 15, God was establishing His covenant with Abram. Abram prepared the sacrifice and laid it before the Lord, waiting for God to confirm His promise. As he waited, birds of prey began to descend on the sacrifice, attempting to consume what had been set apart for God. Abram did not leave the altar unattended; he remained there and drove the birds away until the moment God appeared and confirmed the covenant.

This moment reflects a spiritual picture for believers today. Whenever a life is set apart for God, there are “birds of prey” that attempt to land on that sacrifice. In our time, these appear as addictions, discouragement, fear, corrupt company, murmuring, bitterness, pride, anger, and unforgiveness. They also come through constant distractions, the love of money, the pursuit of pleasure, worldly influence, spiritual laziness, neglect of prayer, and quiet compromises with sin.

If these things are allowed to remain, they slowly consume what has been offered to God.

Abram’s response shows the responsibility of every believer: he drove the birds away. In the same way, we must resist and remove anything that threatens our devotion to God. Through repentance, discipline, prayer, and obedience, we guard the altar of our lives so that what belongs to God is not devoured by the enemy.

When the sacrifice is protected, the heart remains a place where God can move freely and where His promises can unfold in their proper time.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me guard the sacrifices of my life that I have set apart for You. Give me strength to resist the distractions, temptations, and attitudes that seek to steal, kill, or destroy what belongs to You. May my heart remain fully devoted, my life disciplined, and my eyes fixed on Your promises, so that nothing hinders Your work within me. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Examine your life and identify anything that threatens your devotion to God—bad habits, negative thoughts, or unhealthy influences. Take practical steps to remove them through prayer, accountability, and obedience, guarding your heart so that God’s presence and promises can flourish without interruption.

Resources
  • It’s Baptism Sunday! Join us this morning with Pastor Jentezen Franklin as we celebrate lives being transformed! Watch right here on the App, on YouTube, Facebook, or live at live.freechapel.org. Don’t miss this powerful service!
  • Begin your own journey toward baptism by signing up for our Next Steps course, available online or at a campus near you. Take the first step today!