Abram and Lot

As we saw, the last two blogs spoke of Abram's going forth on a journey that the Lord had spoken to him to begin. In the land near the Negev he journeyed into a severe famine that was in the land, Gen.12:9. The Lord does not speak to him to find a different route to make life easier, more comfortable, and less painful. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there and thus fell into some unforeseen challenges that somehow he and his wife escape from the hands of Pharaoh, lying to find his way through them. The question is, for Abram, could God not keep him alive and still fulfill His promises to him? Can we say that whatever is not of faith is sin? We have done that, have we not? Been somewhere we believe God wants us, and the going gets tough and we want to split.
In chapter 13 we see Abram come from Egypt back up to the Negev, with his wife Sarai and all his belongings, which was rich in livestock and in silver and in gold. His nephew Lot has flocks and herds and tents as well but between the two, the land could not sustain them while dwelling together. Their possessions in which the Lord had blessed them with were so great that they were not able to remain together. And thus because of so many livestock, there was strife that broke out between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock, and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock, Gen.13:5-7. So Abram desires to be at peace with those around him, he desires no strife between him and Lot, Abram desires for Lot to pick his area of all the land in front of him to go either to the left or the right and Abram will take the direction that Lot does not choose.
Lord, please help us to accurately measure the worth of things that are temporal to not get into a heated argument over them. Math.6:33,"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you." Abram shows great faith here. Commentator Alexander MacLaren shares, "An acre or two more or less of grass land does not look all-important, when our vision of the city which has foundations is clear." One who truly lives by faith will always seek after the things that make for peace. For the Spirit filled believer, peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and thus he has it. Oh that all illusive virtue of peace. The Prince of peace has given us that peace. John 14:27,"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you," Jesus says.
Alexander MacLaren states, "It does not matter much what accommodation we have on ship-board, when the voyage is so short. If our thoughts are stretching across the sea to the landing at home, and the welcome there, we shall not fight with our fellow passengers about our cabins or places at the table." Romans 12:18,"If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. "It is generally a sad sign of a Christian's temperament when he is frequently getting into quarrels. Prov.20:3,"Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel." Peace comes not from an absence of trouble but from the presence of God. Lord willing, I will pick up this next week.
Elder Randy Slak