Last night, I went into the younger boys' bedroom to ready things for them as bedtime preparations were beginning when I realized that they had been launching themselves from one bed, across the room in an attempt to land in Kendall's crib. I had a mix of emotions... one part angry- there were many dangers or potential threats in their "path". One part of me was amazed- what made them think that they could do such a thing? I also felt blessed that God had once again protected them from themselves. Some decisions we make can seem so "right" in the moment, but in hindsight leave us shaking our head wondering what we were thinking at the time.
This morning, as I continued on in my study of Abraham, I came to one such moment. Look with me at Genesis chapter 13 starting on verse 5.....
"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 herders and Lot’s. 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 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 Zoar 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: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord." (Genesis 13:5-18 NIV)
My Friend, even as we live as the redeemed of Christ, we will still endure conflict. We live in fallen and frail human skins and as a result conflict will be in our lives. God often uses it to grow and mature our faith and sometimes it is used to make us long for our true home in heaven. Regardless, conflict is part of daily life. In this case, Abraham chose to try and make peace by offering Lot his preference in the land. I think he wanted peace beyond possessions. That should be true of us, but it is hard isn't it? In the midst of difficult situations, do we desire peace beyond possessing our justification, anger,and bitterness or do we cling to it like a prized treasure. As the elder of the two, Abraham could have ordered Lot to take the "leftover" land and have claimed which ever portion he desired more, but his great love for his nephew was sacrificial. That is the thing about genuine Godly love- it is often giving and sacrificial.
Lot, in looking at his two options chose to claim the land that looked the best- it was lush and green. It appeared fertile for growing his livestock, but it would instead grow heartache. In life, what may appear to be good from appearances is not always what is best. That is why we so desperately need to seek the will of the Father daily for guidance and direction. Lot left probably thinking that life was going to better than ever, but as we will see, it will be his downfall. Abraham, in his sacrificial love, chose to take the less appealing area of land, but God made it clear that he would bless the sacrifice. God would make the barren land fertile.... blessings beyond all that our faith-walking Abram could imagine.
My friend, sometimes we may feel that the path ahead seems bleak and barren, but it is the perfect ground for God to make us fertile with potential in HIM. He loves nothing more than to bless us out of dry land when we seek His strength and provision realizing that it is beyond the limits of our abilities. As we will see, God does bless Abraham and He does the same for us. Hang on to all that He has done for you in the past and all that He is capable of.... nothing is beyond His reach.
One thing of note, is that Abraham's first action was to build an altar to praise and glorify the Father. The blessings had not begun, but he was praising God in advance. What about us? Do we praise and honor Him with obedience in preparation of what He will do for us? Ouch! That means even when the "solution" doesn't seem to be on the horizon, we praise Him for it in advance.... that is faith. God knows that when we praise Him in the midst of struggle that our faith is enough to carry us through until that work is completed in us. Praise softens and prepares our hearts and minds- making them fertile for the outcome that God has prepared for us. Not much is harder... praising Him in the midst of heart wrenching tears and brokenness is desperate faith, but little stirs Him more than the broken tenderness of His children clinging to their hope in Him.
Today, whatever you are facing, seek Him and His wisdom. Trust that He will make your barren situation fertile with potential spiritual growth and praise Him while you wait. He will not fail you!
We will continue with our study of Abraham... I hope this has been blessing you. I know God is using it in my life.... I would love to hear your stories. Please connect with me through Facebook or Twitter and share what God is doing in your life right now!
Blessings!
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