Have you ever been bushwalking and found yourself straying from the main trail after being distracted by something that looked enticing? There comes that sudden realisation that you need to get back on track before you become hopelessly lost!
Sometimes we can find ourselves far from where God intends for us to be. We can fall into some sort of temptation which makes us feel that God surely wouldn't have us back. We can go for quite some time feeling guilty before seeking Him out in prayer. Abram had a similar experience in having strayed all the way to Egypt. However, having been banished by the Pharaoh because of his lies, he was on his way back:
"So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram's herders and Lot's. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. 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. The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you." So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord."
Genesis 13:1-18 NIV
I wonder how Abram was feeling at this point as he arrived back to the place that God had intended for him to be? The text doesn't tell us but I imagine it felt good to see those familiar landmarks and to know this was the place where God wanted him.
Abram had become wealthy due to initially receiving Pharaoh's favour, but these possessions were obtained as a result of deception. What a nostalgic moment when Abram found the precise place where he had first camped when he came into the land God had led him to! There stood the altar and surely it was a reminder of his special time of fellowship with the Lord. Would the Lord want to listen to Abram after his disobedience? Abram called on the Name of the Lord. We can be sure that God always hears when His children call on Him no matter what they have done:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
God is always just waiting for us to come to Him. He knows our hearts. He knows when we are repentant and desire to be back on track. Sometimes it is just a case of acknowledging that we need Him and once we start up the conversation with Him, we are back on track!
In Abram's case, the consequences of his disobedience meant that there was not enough room for all the livestock to feed, leading to discord between Abram and Lot's herders. The quarrelling would not have been a good example to the other people who lived in the land of Canaan so Abram wisely brought the matter to his nephew and made a very generous gesture. He said they should part company but allowed Lot to choose some grazing land first. Abram trusted God and was not afraid of missing out. Technically God had given all the land to Abram but here we see him unconcerned about not having the best for himself as he gave out of an attitude driven by love.
Lot chose what looked to be the best land and settled near Sodom. It wouldn't be long before he realised what a mistake this was as the people there were entrenched in a very sinful culture!
Abram remained in Canaan and the Lord spoke with him, confirming His promise concerning the land. It all belonged to him even though he had given a portion to Lot. The Lord then repeated His promise to give Abraham many descendants. This was quite a promise considering Abram was getting old now and didn't even have one child but he walked by faith and not by sight! "For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
The Lord invited Abram to explore the land that he had been given. He wanted Abram to see all that was his and to enjoy every aspect! Do we take time to explore all that God has given us in His Word? Do you claim every promise?
It's good to see Abram building another altar and remaining close to God once more, constantly aware of his need for a sacrificial atonement and covering, constantly coming in worship and thanksgiving before his God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that when I turn away from You, it just takes for me to come to You with a repentant heart and start up the conversation. Thank You that I can find You straight away, even when I feel I have strayed far away. Thank You for Your love and provision, Your guidance and wisdom that You freely give. Thank You for Your Word which speaks to me even today. It is so good reading about Abram and finding out more about You.
Thank You that even when I feel undeserving of Your grace, You keep on blessing me just as You blessed Abram. Thank You for keeping all of Your promises. May I stand on them all today and fully enjoy all You have given me in Jesus.
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV
In His Name,
Amen.
"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalms 36:9 NLT
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Light and Life for Today
SpiritualA daily devotional for your time alone with God. In an increasingly dark world, more than ever, we need to look beyond what we can see, past our present circumstances. In order to see the light and experience life as our Heavenly Father intended, I...
