Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart." Psalm 15:1-2
Text: Genesis 13:1-18
THE FAITH OF LOT
God had promised that He will not only bless Abram, but that He would also bless those who bless him. Lot had begun well. He was with his uncle Abram all this while. He too had faith in the Lord. We read about this in a comment made by the apostle Peter.
“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes,
condemned them to destruction, making them an example
to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered
righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct
of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them,
tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing
and hearing their lawless deeds)…”2 PETER 2:6-8
Lot was greatly blessed by the Lord through Abram, whether or not he realized this. In time, he too became wealthy.
“Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents.
Now the land was not able to support them, that they might
dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they
could not dwell together.”GENESIS 13:5-6
One of the signal indications of the blessing of God, especially in those days, was the abundance of material possessions.
ANOTHER TEST
Another test arose, this time within the family of Abram. This problem was candidly noted.
“And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock
and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and
the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.”GENESIS 13:7
The problem began with the servants, the herdsmen who looked after the livestock Before too long, their difficulties were brought to the attention of Abram and Lot. They had to resolve their difficulties or they would be embarrassing themselves in the presence of their neighbours, the Canaanites and Perizzites. How would Abram respond? He passed this test with flying colours.
“So Abram said to Lot, ‘Please let there be no strife
between you and me, and between my herdsmen and
your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land
before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left,
then I will go to the right; or if you go to the right,
then I will go to the left.”GENESIS 13:8-9
What magnanimity Abram displayed! His faith must have grown apace!