Ever made a decision that was second guessed by others? Ever made a call and some believe to be rash? What about this… have you ever put your future in the hands of others and decisions THEY make? Consider the following from Genesis 13:8-10…
Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”
Abram was head of the family. It was unheard of for a decision to be placed in the hands of someone of lower patriarchal status. But this is what Abram did with Lot. Abram let Lot call the ball. Back then this was unheard of… especially when the person making the decision would be selfish in their choice. Lot’s choice was the right one… IF decisions are made according to the flesh and the world’s way of making choices.
Lot chose the land with financial resources. Lot chose the place that was inhabited… where trade and business was booming. Lot chose to leave Abram the desert where there seemed to be no future or hope. Lot made his decision based on human logic, the outward appearance. Lot didn’t care that the cities where he would live and raise his family (Sodom and Gomorrah) were evil.
After Lot made his choice, it is recorded in Genesis 13:14-17 that God said to Abram…
“Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”
What you just read describes “The Promised Land,” a land flowing with milk and honey. It was not foolish for Abram to trust in the providence and sovereignty of God. It was not silly to trust God absolutely with his future. It was an expression of faith to put his life in the hands of God trusting that He “causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Abram’s decision was based on faith in God so he didn’t worry about the decision since God was in control.
When it comes to decisions “I” make, I am confident that “I” will make the right one, even when others are “in control.” The reason is because “(When) God is for us who can be against us?” God makes the desert bloom. He brings forth water from the rock. He is life! And so I can “Trust in the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding.”
Amen! We are blessed by God.