Genesis 13:1-11
When God called Abram at the beginning of his journey He commanded him to leave his country, his family and his father’s house. While Abram had been obedient to much of what God had said, he had brought with him one family member who should have been left behind – Lot, the son of his deceased brother Haran. It may have been a sense of responsibility towards his young nephew that caused Abram to bring him along. It may have been that, in the absence of a son of his own, he saw Lot as his successor. But, whatever his reasoning, Lot was not called to be a part of what God was doing with Abram and a separation needed to take place.
In this passage we see that the time had come for their ways to part. Both men had been blessed with large flocks and herds and were living a nomadic life in a land that was already occupied by the Canaanites. The pressure of trying to find enough good grazing for their animals was causing arguments between their herdsmen and it had become impossible for them to stay together any longer. So the two men stood together on a plain from which they could see for miles in all directions and Abram told Lot to choose the portion he would take. Lot’s choice tells us a lot about the condition of his heart. Even though he was the younger man and should have deferred to his uncle, he chose the best of the land – the well-watered, fertile land of the Jordan valley. The people who lived in that area were extremely corrupt but Lot gave no thought to that. He was lured by the riches of this world.
Abram could not walk with his nephew and with God because they had different values and priorities. We will find that we face the same choice if we are serious about walking with the Lord. As Christian believers we are called to be in this world for our lifetime, but not a part of it (John 17:14-16). Peter describes Christians as “sojourners and pilgrims” in this world (1 Peter 2:11 NKJV; other versions speak of “aliens”, “strangers” and “exiles”). Is that how you see yourself? The rewards we seek are not material but spiritual, which means that we must “march to the beat of a different drum” from those around us.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? [15] And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? [16] And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.’ [17] Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. [18] I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters,’ Says the LORD Almighty.”
Are you willing to separate yourself from ungodly people, from earthly pursuits and ambitions, or material possessions that are hindering your journey of faith? Is there a separation that you need to make in order to be single minded about God’s call on your life?
Prayer
Lord God,
I want to be obedient to Your call on my life and I know there are things that draw me away from my walk with You. Give me the courage, I pray, to cut out of my life anyone, or anything, that hinders me from pursuing You wholeheartedly.
Amen.
All references are from the NKJV unless specified otherwise.
Jill Partis
bearing-kingdom-fruit.com
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