LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, September 4, 2024

In today’s story of faith, we see yet another example of Abraham trusting God’s promises.

Genesis 13:5-11 “Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:”

Let’s learn a couple of lessons from this story:

1.      Lot was selfish. He had made the great journey from Ur to Canaan on Abraham’s bootstraps. He had gained his wealth and prominence by following Abraham. Yet when a problem developed, Lot showed no humility and gratitude, but rather took advantage of the situation to further his own objectives. In such a situation I would hope that we would respond with humility and faith in God’s ability to provide for us, rather than with self-serving responses.

2.      Abraham was a man of faith in God’s Word. He has just been through a learning experience in Egypt, and when he returned to Canaan he built an altar and called on the Name of the Lord. He was reminded of God’s promise and that he was to walk by faith every day, and he passed the first test that came with flying colors. He totally trusted God with the outcome and gives Lot the first choice of land for their flocks and herds. Following Lot’s choice, God affirmed His promise, and rewarded Abraham’s faith by giving him not only the land He was left with, but all of the land Lot had just chosen as well.

3.      Abraham was a content man in his faith. Lot chose city life, with all its pleasures and conveniences. Abraham was left with his tents. But immediately he built another altar to the Lord, content in knowing that God would fulfill His promise. The walk of faith would be exciting as he would move through the length and breadth of the land to experience the fullness of God’s provision, and he did not allow himself to be sidetracked by fleshly desires and worldly allures, as did Lot. When we are on God’s path of faith, moving through the entire coverage area of His provision, we can be content knowing that God is fulfilling His purpose.

These three lessons are great reminders for us in our current situations of life. In every circumstance there is the potential for faith-walking or sight-walking. Sight-walking is selfish and ends in destruction. Faith-walking is fulfilling and ends in honor and glory. Make your choices accordingly.

Pastor John