In the book of Genesis, we’re given a picture of two men chosen by God, Abram (later given the name Abraham by God) and Lot, who were kinsmen (Abraham was Lot’s uncle).  At one point, God had blessed Abraham and Lot to the point where each had large flocks and herds of animals, to the point where the land would not support both of them.  What follows is a picture of what it means to walk by faith (trusting in the LORD) and the blessing that comes with it, or pursuing what seems right to us in our own eyes, and the consequences of a heart that is not dependant upon God.

Gen 13:2-18 – ”
 ² Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. ³And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, ⁴to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the LORD. ⁵And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, ⁶so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, ⁷ and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. ⁸Then Abram said to Lot,”Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. ⁹ Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” ¹⁰And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORDdestroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) ¹¹So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. ¹²Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. ¹³Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD. ¹⁴The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, ¹⁵for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. ¹⁶ I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. ¹⁷Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” ¹⁸So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.
Much could be said about how Abraham’s desiring reconciliation and peace with his kinsmen, Lot, and seeming sacrifice is a model for how we ought to love, serve, and submit our desires to others, especially our Christian brothers and sisters.  Today, however, what I want to focus in on, is how Abraham’s choice was fruit of His faith in God, and the blessing found in faithfulness.  You see, God had already asked a lot of Abraham.  When Abraham was 75 years old, God told him to pack up everything he had with his wife, and to go inhabit a new land, hundreds of miles away.  This was no easy task in those days, always at risk of attack, disease, or exposure to the elements (for anyone let alone a 75 year old man).  Abraham had been able to see God’s faithfulness, and so when it became necessary to divide the land between Himself and Lot, He trusted that whatever the outcome, God would be faithful to provide for him, just as he has done.  We see that God did bless Abraham’s faith, not only did he give Abram the land he expected, but he promised Abram all of the land in the whole world, including Lot’s.

We’ll pick up with what happens with Lot tomorrow, but today I want us to see that this story is pointing us to how we are to live – by faith.  Lot chose what seemed best to him, in his own eyes and understanding, by looking out over the land and making his choice.  Abraham, through faith, kept his head bowed, allowing Lot to choose and trusted God; he was rewarded with an infinite blessing (As a note, the blessing spoken of by God to Abraham was Himself, Jesus Christ – God in the flesh, which would come through Abraham’s line of descendants).

In the same way, many people, the media, and the world as a whole around you will try to entice you to live for today, for the happiness that material possessions, sexual immorality, or selfish living can bring.  They can make many seemingly rational arguments, which may draw away some.  An example – people are told by their “friends” to “get a divorce, you’ll be happier single, and God wants you to be happy right?”  They’re never told that God hates divorce, that God has mad man and woman to become one flesh, and when that is separated, it will never be what it could have been.  God’s Word isn’t the driving force behind the advice we receive.  Often we buy into these lies instead of looking to God in His Word ourselves, to instruct us on how we ought to live, carrying with us the faith that God loves us and will give us the strength to endure (Rom 8:28, Jam 1:2-8).

As believers, we do not walk by sight, but by faith.  We know that we were never promised an easy life, but that God is faithful, trustworthy, and good.  We know we have a greater treasure in Christ, than all of the world put together, and if God loved us enough to spare His only Son for us, surely He would never lead us that ultimately would harm us.  We know that God desires our greatest good, which is to be in fellowship with Him.  We know that in His presence there is a fullness of joy, and we are living in the hope for that day.  Psalm 16:11 – “¹¹You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  

We are to set our minds on the things above (Col 3:2), to live by faith in the finished work of Christ.  While others may settle for fleeting happiness promised by idols such as sexual immorality, we find joy in an eternally secure relationship with the perfectly good God who has created all things.  Proverbs 3:5-8 encourages us – “ ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  ⁶In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  ⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.  ⁸It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

My exhortation is to look at your life today.  Are you struggling with a big decision, or have you just not realized that most of your decisions have been made based on your own understanding?  Are you trying to “figure things out yourself” or have you prayed for God’s guidance with faith that He will answer, pleading with God as you study His Word to make His will known to you and your path straight?  Have you even sought answers in God’s Word at all?  Do you possess the faith to trust God, even if that means you struggle for a time not knowing an answer, and/or perhaps go through a time of hardship by choosing God’s way instead of the “easy way”?  Someone once said that there are three ways of doing things in life, the right way, the wrong way, and God’s way, and of the 3, I’ll pick God’s way every time.  Those are wise words, which lead to life and peace.  I pray for increased faith for us all, that we would live out our lives this way from God’s Word, and our identity with Christ, in keeping with our affection for Him for who He is and all He has accomplished for us.  I’m sorry for the late delivery today, I have been slammed!  Know you’re prayed and cared for.  Stay encouraged, and continue to root yourself in God’s Word, His wisdom is better than life.

Grace and Peace,
Adam