13:11,12
So they both settled in their respective lands. Abram settled in Canaan, the land that would eventually be given to the Israelites. There are times when we dwell in the land that God is going to give to us before we actually receive the promise. We dwell there as a stranger and alien (Heb 11:9). Lot had sought to go somewhere better, a place where he could see the prosperity now. This was a big mistake, for “the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord”. This would eventually catch up with them in a big way.
13:14a
Lot and Abram had made their decisions, the Lord then spoke to Abram. Now often we would like God to speak to us before we make a decision! Sometimes He does this, but often He does not. Instead He lets us make the decision, the decision revealing what is in our hearts. In this case it revealed good things about Abram. Even when we know what the right thing to do is, it can be difficult to make the decision. We would like a “word from the Lord”, some sort of assurance, but nothing comes. Sometimes the reason we haven’t “heard from God” is because He hasn’t said anything! Abram already knew enough to make the right decision. Then God speaks, to give him reassurance.
13:14b,15
God tells Abram to look to the north, south, east and west, and is told that all the land will be given to him and his offspring, and forever. By not holding on to things Abram gained everything. We must put our trust in God. The world teaches us to grasp, the Bible teaches us to trust.
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