When Abraham heard that his nephew Lot had been taken captive, he did not panic and he did not wait around hoping someone else would handle it. Genesis 14:14 tells us he “armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen,” and pursued the captors immediately. That single verse holds a leadership lesson worth pausing on.
Preparation Made the Difference
The Hebrew word behind “trained” implies men who were tried, tested, and experienced, not hastily gathered volunteers. These were members of Abraham’s own household, men he had invested in over time. When the crisis came, Abraham did not need to scramble to build a team. The training had already happened. Proverbs 22:6 captures this same principle: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Preparation done in advance is what allows us to respond with confidence when trouble shows up unannounced.
Faith and Action Working Together
Abraham’s story is a beautiful picture of faith paired with strategy. He organized his men, divided his forces, and launched a decisive plan, all while trusting God for the outcome. Melchizedek later blessed him, declaring that God had delivered his enemies into his hand. James 2:17 reminds us that “faith, if it hath not works, is dead,” and Abraham’s pursuit of Lot shows exactly what living faith looks like in motion.
A Pattern for Every Generation
This same rhythm shows up throughout Scripture, from Gideon’s three hundred to David’s mighty men to Jesus training twelve disciples who would go on to reach the world. Ephesians 6:11 calls us to “put on the whole armour of God,” a command that assumes preparation happens before the battle, not during it.
Whatever assignment God has placed in front of you, do not wait for the crisis to start preparing. Train now, in the quiet, so that when the moment comes, you are ready to move in faith.
-Terrence Burton
SHINE Ministries, International 