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Transcription
Abram and Lot, who were relatives, had too many possessions to stay together in the land they were living in. They decided to part ways, and Lot chose the well-watered land towards the east, similar to the garden of the Lord. Abram, on the other hand, gave up his choice and let Lot have it. Lot's decision was based on what he saw, while Abram trusted God and chose by faith. Lot's choice led to corruption and isolation, while Abram found liberation and assurance. The lesson is to trust God rather than relying on what is seen. The suggested prayer is to seek God's will in making decisions. Welcome to Christchurch's daily devotion for February 13th, 2024. Today we will be reading from Genesis chapter 13, verses 5 through 11. Now Lot who was moving about with Abraham 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 herders and Lot. The Canaanites, the Prezites were also living in the land at the time. So Abram said to Lot, Let's not have any quarreling between you and me or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 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 around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. 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. When Lot goes east, he's doing what we all do naturally. He's searching for the thing that will make his life matter. Abram, however, gave that up. Abram saw the same land. He could have taken it. Instead, he gave Lot first choice. He must have known what Lot would choose. In giving Lot first dibs, Abram was taking the land of Canaan. Why did he do that? Because Abram knew the land of Canaan was the promised land, even if it looks less than promising. Lot was trying to get back into the garden. Abram knew he was already there. Derek Kidner says, Lot choosing the things that are seen found them corrupt and insecure. Choosing selfishly, he was to grow ever more isolated and unloved. Abram, on the other hand, found liberation. We live in a world filled with tension of choosing what is seen for what is not. What will we choose? The contrast between Abram and Lot instructs us on the nature of trusting God. Lot chose by sight. Abram by faith. Lot moved to the edges. Abram to the center. Lot found corruption and temptation. Abram found assurance and peace. Lot was spiritually compromised. Abram was spiritually alive. Lot moved in with sinners. Abram moved in with God. Lot built no altars. Abram built them all. Lot chose by sight alone. And that is always a mistake. Your personal worship option today is, Dear Lord, as I make decisions in my life today and in days to come, please help me not to make the decisions by sight alone, but help me to seek your will for the best in my life. Amen.
