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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 62

"Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust." Psalm 16:1

Text: Genesis 13:1-18

CULTIVATING TRUST IN THE LORD

Abram had grown in his level of trust in the Lord! He fled Canaan once because of famine, and went to Egypt. The debacle in Egypt taught him precious, though painful, lessons of faith and trust in the Lord. He determined that he would put that faith into action when the threat of strife reared its ugly head to strike at his family. He sought to resolve the matter in a most untypical way! Trust is not just a state of mind. It must express itself in very practical ways!

1. “We are brethren”

Abram believed in the concept of blessing that God gave to him. Lot was blessed because of his association with Abram. Thus the Lord blessed him. But what if Lot were to go against him? What if the strife between the herdsmen came to blows? Would the Lord then “curse” Lot as a result? Abram would not live with that possibility in mind. He insisted that he and Lot were “brethren” or “family”. They should not; they need not strive with each other!

2. Appreciating God’s gift of the Promised Land

How Abram must have appreciated the generosity and graciousness of God in giving him the entire land of Canaan! That was a huge piece of land! It would be big enough for all of them!

3. The Gift of Choice

The height of Abram’s genuine magnanimity must be seen in the way in which he gave to Lot first choice. He would take what is left over! He did not have to do that. He was uncle to Lot! He was head of this “tribe”. The word of blessing was to Abram and not Lot! The Promised Land was offered to Abram and not his nephew! Abram knew all these things, nevertheless, he gave Lot first choice!

LOT’S CHOICE

Lot did not hesitate when offered first choice. He took advantage of Abram’s words.

“And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan,
that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord
destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah), like the garden of the Lord,
like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose
for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east.
And they separated from each other. ”

GENESIS 13:10-11

Lot appeared to have made the best choice. The land he had chosen was rich and fertile! It was even compared to the “garden of the Lord” (An obvious reference to the Garden of Eden). Abram kept his word to his nephew. He did not blanch when Lot seemed to have come up on top of a potentially explosive situation! He trusted God!