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There’s a story in the Old Testament that has always intrigued me. It’s a story in the life of Abram (his name before God changed it to Abraham). He had a nephew named Lot who came to live with him when Lot’s father died.
In the story I want to share with you today, Abram set out for a new place to settle and he took Lot with him.
So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Genesis 13:1
Abram was very wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold. Genesis 13:2
Lot also had flocks and herds and tents. They had so much between them that the land could not support them both. They would no longer be able to live together on the same land.
So, Abram makes Lot an offer.
8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”
10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. Genesis 13:8-11
Now, does that story tug at you in any way? Do you have a friend or loved one like that? Always looking out for number one? Lot basically capitalizes on Abram’s generous offer to choose his favorite portion of land.
It’s about right here in this story where I begin to get uneasy. I don’t like to get the short end of the stick. No one does. Do you get uncomfortable when you read about Abram’s generous offer and see Lot choose the premium spot? Remember, Abram took him in. I’m speculating here but it’s probable that Lot’s wealth is largely due to Abram.
It seems Lot is ungrateful for all Abram had already done for him but I believe we are all tempted to take the best option set before us. I recall times when I was a child and I would split a treat with a friend. Sometimes I would ask them to pick which one they wanted. But honestly I always sized up the situation myself and hoped they wouldn’t pick the biggest or the best. Sometimes I would even try to minimize the appearance of the better half hoping I could dupe them. (Sad but true.)
Why wouldn’t Abram just designate a portion of land to Lot?
Because Abram trusted the Lord.
If you haven’t read all there is in the Bible about Abram, you wouldn’t know that he was a man who followed God in faith. He allowed the power of God to move in his circumstances and more importantly to move in his heart. And God gave him faith.
Faith that made him follow blindly:
Hebrews 11:8 says, By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Abram left his home because God told Him He had a land of promise in which Abram and his descendants would dwell. He just didn’t tell him where. Yet, Abram went.
Faith that made him wait expectantly:
Genesis 15:6 says, And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.
God promised Abram an heir and the promise was fulfilled long after the promise was spoken. Abram was 100 years of age when the promise was finally fulfilled.
Faith that made him trust unswervingly:
Hebrews 11:17 says, It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
God tested Abraham and asked him to sacrifice his cherished son, Isaac, on the altar and Abraham followed in obedience knowing that God was greater than even death. God instead sent a substitute sacrifice – a ram – and spared Isaac’s life.
I love to read about that kind of faith, a faith to follow God no matter what.
Hebrews 11:6 says, And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
This verse says, “whoever would draw near to God”. In my own story, I have found that as I draw near to God, He continually proves His love for me. He is faithful in all things. Truly, the one who seeks God over all, receives in great abundance the gift of the presence of God in all.
Truly, the one who seeks God over all, receives in great abundance the gift of the presence of God in all.
Let’s see what happens after Lot assesses the offer and chooses his portion of land. The Lord speaks to Abram.
14 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. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring[a] forever. 16 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. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis 13:14-17
Do you see here what I see? Who was really in charge of the decision over the land? Why was Abram able to make this offer to Lot in the first place? Because he trusted that God would have His way. This is what it is to live by faith.
If you read on further, you will see that Lot’s choice of land gets him into quite a bit of trouble and in the end his choice leads him to great heartache.
After settling in his new land, Lot and the surrounding people are attacked by an invading army. Lot is captured by King Kedorlaomer of Elam
Genesis 14:11 says, The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned. (emphasis mine)
Looks like Lot is in trouble. And what does Abram do when he hears?
Genesis 13: 14-16 says, When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.
Who rescues lot? Abram does. He is still standing firm in his faith. He rescues lot and recovers all that had been taken. He also returns to the King of Sodom what was taken by the invading army. The king desires to reward Abram.
Genesis 13:21-23 says, The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.”Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’
He had a faith that caused him to rely on God fully. Even his riches came from God’s hand.
Now, Abram wasn’t perfect. He was a man just like you and me. He didn’t always make the right decision. These are situations you can read about in the book of Genesis. But he sought God and God took great care of him.
Why do I share this story with you?
Because, in it, we see what it looks like to live by faith and what it looks like to live by sight.
We are tempted to live from the framework – I’ve gotta look out for number one.
We are tempted to make choices that appeal to our flesh.
But God calls each of us to give Him control of our lives and its choices big and small.
As a result,
- We are able live at peace even when our circumstances do not change.
- We are free to seek the best for others even when they don’t return the favor.
- We are able to trust God even when odds seem against us.
- We are able to experience God’s presence – our greatest hearts desire.
Have you been micromanaging a situation? Have you been fearful you might get the raw end of the deal? Friend, I encourage you to live by faith in God through Jesus. Submit your circumstances, your desires and your heart to God. He will take care of you!
My friend, let us choose to live by faith.
Ginny Thomas - Thank you, Tammy, we’re sharing your wisdom with us! Stay blessed, my sweet sister!
Linda Van Berkom - Amen, continue to trust is the key even if things don’t look great. Abram believing God for His son. Better for he and his son to remain obedient.