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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 60

"I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God…" Psalm 17:6a

Text: Genesis 13:1-18

RETURNING TO THE LORD

It was not just to Canaan that Abram returned. The most important thing was to return to the Lord.

“Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all
that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. Abram was very rich
in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journey
from the south as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent
had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place
of the altar which he had made there at first.
And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.”

GENESIS13:1-4

There was every reason to return to God. Mistakes, even failures must be allowed for. The important thing is to make sure that one learns from mistakes made!

1. The Lord’s Continued Blessings

The Scriptures did not describe Abram as a rich man when he left Haran to go to the land of Canaan. In this text however, there is clear mention that Abram was rich! How could a person obtain wealth of this kind outside the hand of God? His wealth was testimony of the Lord’s grace and blessings upon Abram and his family!

2. Making Right with God

Abram must have been ashamed of himself, for failing to trust in God during the famine! However, though he was asked to leave Egypt, he found that God had blessed him with more “livestock, silver and gold”.

3. Return to Original Relationship and Worship

There is nothing wrong with wealth. Poverty does not make anyone automatically a great saint!

a) “To the altar which he had made there”

The altar that he first erected stood him in good stead! Sight of the old altar must have brought back significant memories! When well used, they can help a person become reconciled to the Lord!

b) “Abram called on the Name of the Lord”

The sinful mistake had been committed. There was no point bemoaning the sinful past! However, there was still the future! Abram did the wisest thing. He returned to God. He returned to his worship of God. He returned to calling upon the Name of the Lord for worship and for spiritual fellowship – with the Lord Himself, and with members of the family!


NEVER ALLOW PRIDE TO STAND IN THE WAY!

Not everybody took the problem of sin as Abram did! Some stay away because they feel that they are just “not good enough”! Emulate Abram. Return to the Lord!