The life of Abraham – the father of faith – set an example for us. God blessed Abraham and the first thing that Abraham did was to acknowledge God’s provision. Then he looked to his own needs and pitched his tent, but then built another altar to God. The point, I think, is that Abraham kept who God was and is and who Abraham was in light of who God was and is. As we live each day we should be like Abraham. Always keeping in mind that we belong to God and our purpose is to glorify him through our lives and actions.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10
An interesting contrast is Lot, Abraham’s nephew and his response to Abraham giving him his choice of the land.
“So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.’ Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.” – Genesis 13:8-13
While Abraham demonstrated humility and trust in God, Lot took the best and then embraced the people in the city of Sodom. You know how that turned out. My point is that often times, Christians fall victim to their flesh. They accept the good things and turn toward the world and away from God. It could well be that Lot saw nothing wrong with living close to Sodom, except recall that eventually he moved out of his tent into the city. Embracing the world is such a subtle thing. It makes sense – Lot need to be closer to the markets. It was better to live in a house than a tent. Nothing wrong with having nicer “digs” is there? I guess that depends on what you have to trade off to get them. If it costs you your devotion to God, perhaps a tent was not so bad.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17
The point for today is to encourage you to be careful in your life choices. Keep God first in your heart. And if He isn’t, perhaps today is a good day to start.
“…. an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” – Matthew 22:35-40
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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