There’s a lot (pardon the pun) regarding the story of Abraham and Lot in the Bible – most of equate this story to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but there’s a backstory to this – how did Lot get to Sodom?
Let’s look at the 13th chapter of Genesis:
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. 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.” And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord. (Genesis 13:8-13)
Abraham and Lot were journeying from the Negev portion of Israel – present day southern Israel and the and the Sinai Peninsula portion of Egypt – up north, and they got to a point where the land couldn’t sustain both families – so they agreed to separate.
Abraham, being the gentleman and elder of the two, gave Lot a choice – the Jordon Valley, or Canaan. He could have had either one.
The Jordon Valley (present day, pictured above) – including the Jordon River – was lush and green, a good place to pasture, rich in resources. Also, it would have been easy to settle, as opposition wasn’t prevalent at that point. Everyone could have everything – food, drink, housing, all provided for them.
Canaan, on the other hand, was a rocky place, and not so easily settled – there was opposition there, the Canaanites. Persecution would abound – but God would provide, as is seen in the remainder of the chapter:
The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 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. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord. (Genesis 13:14-18)
God provided a rich land in the area of Hebron for Abraham to settle.
Abraham had to dissolve this partnership with Lot – to save both families. One took the greedy route however, the other took a godly route.
Abraham took a totally different approach to solving this problem. He told Lot to choose which land he wanted. Imagine, Abraham could have been dooming himself and his family if he was unable to find adequate land and water for them. Abraham gave up his rights in the matter, placing his full trust in God – and Lot took full advantage. So Lot left and took up residence in the valley later to be known as Sodom and Gomorrah.
Sometimes what seems good on the front end turns out to be disastrous later. Such would be the case for Lot and his family.
As for Abraham, he made a choice. He decided to take life’s high road — a choice that didn’t necessarily mean his life circumstances would benefit him. He was willing to leave that outcome to God. He made the decision based on an eternal measuring stick.
Interestingly, the place where Abraham moved was called Mamre. In Hebrew, the name Mamre means “strength.” How can choosing the weakest position become “strength”?
Jesus must have asked the same question of His Father when faced with the proposition of going to the cross. How can the cross be a place of strength? The devil thought he had won, but the cross is what freed the captives for eternity. The Bible tells us that when we are weak, then we are really strong. To willingly choose the way of the cross becomes our strength.
How does this translate into our issues today?
The choices we make today, will somehow affect us tomorrow.
In addition – Abraham put his complete trust in God, and God saw him through, settling him in an area that would sustain him, his family and his flock.
There are so many Christians talking about this election, how it was stolen, and what they’re going to do something about it. They don’t see the bigger picture.
The people who want to destroy this nation financially and morally – are the Lots of the world. They take and take, until there’s nothing left. In addition, their permissiveness of sinful behavior brings ultimate judgment on them – just like Sodom and Gomorrah.
People who want to see this nation saved and prosperous – place their complete trust in the Lord to guide and for wisdom. There are very few of these people in Washington DC or our state capitols today.
There are those of us – a very few – who will not be preaching a message of prosperity and abundance in the New Year. Too many preachers will be putting this feel-good message out, to make their attendees feel better. It’s a common theme for a New Year’s message – but it’s not accurate.
Those few of us – believe that if things don’t change in Washington DC and our states – not just the election, but in laws, customs and certain judicial rulings – that God’s ready to bring judgment – big judgment!
Think I’m kidding? Think I’m full of it – that I’m being too negative, that I’m not “following the plan”?
There’s only one plan – and that’s God’s plan – not Donald Trump’s, not the Democrat Party’s, only God’s plan. He’s the only sovereign one. Only God knows what will happen in January 6th and the 20th – I don’t, and neither do you.
The difference is this: I’ve put my complete trust in God to deal with this, and to provide for my family, knowing full well that the evil ones that committed this contemptible theft of an election and huge delusion and deception with regard to this China virus – will be brought down.
In other words – I’m not worrying about it.
Do I like it? Absolutely not! Proverbs 6 has a lot to say about what God – and I – feel about what’s going on today:
There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.
(Proverbs 6:16-19)
All of this, pride, lying tongues, abortion, deceit, plans to destroy and cover ups, lies about others, and division among us – can be found in Washington DC, state capitols and city halls all over this nation – Every single one.
God WILL have His way, make no mistake.
The good part of this is that we, as true believers in Christ, know that whatever happens, we have our eternity in Heaven – just like God provided a good land for Abraham at Mamre in Hebron, God has provided a wondrous place for us in Heaven – for eternity.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
This means that that most people will be entering that “wide gate” that leads to destruction – very few will be going through that “narrow gate” – to eternal life.
The Christian life isn’t full of roses and good times – it’s hard. We’re tested – James said as much when he said WHEN you fall into trials – not IF, but WHEN. You will be tested – and this election, and this time – is a test for all Christians.
Are you placing your complete faith in God, or are you bucking in the flesh over the results?
Are you listening to the still small voice of the Lord, or are you relying on YouTube videos such as the X22 Report and such nonsense to give you wisdom?
Hey, I was there – but now, I’m at peace. I pray that everyone prays for salvation and repents of their sinful behavior. I evangelize whenever I can – and I exhort you to do so as well. Time is short, and the harvest is ripe.
I know that those who did us dirty, if they don’t repent, will get theirs in the end – whether that’s judgment here on earth, or eternal torment in Hell.
Think about your own future. Where will you be spending eternity? If you’re saved by the blood, you’ll be spending eternity with Jesus!
Are you worrying about future events? If so – you may need to examine your salvation. 2 Timothy 6:7 says for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. So many people who call themselves Christians, have fear and have lost love as well as self-control. Resting in the Lord gets this back.
As I said earlier, when faced with the proposition of going to the cross, where did Jesus place His faith? How can the cross be a place of strength? The devil thought he had won, but the cross is what freed the captives for eternity. The Bible tells us that when we are weak, then we are really strong.
To willingly choose the way of the cross becomes our strength. Choose to place your full trust in God, not man.
The #Heb10 Church 