CHOOSE THE WAY OF PEACE
Genesis 13:8
8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please LET THERE BE NO STRIFE between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; FOR WE ARE BRETHREN.
Strife is a carefully devised ploy of the devil to short change your faith and stop you from enjoying a fruitful life because when you hold on to an offense and choose the way of unforgiveness and hate it will be difficult to hear God and you will be bringing your life to halt.
I am not denying the fact that there will be legitimate reasons to walk in strife but you have to be like Abraham who chose the way of peace. You will find out from scriptures that Lot became successful because of Abraham. Genesis 12:4 says that, “So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and LOT WENT WITH HIM…” God didn’t speak to Lot, it was Abraham that God spoke to. Abraham decided to carry Lot with him and God blessed Lot and he became as successful as Abraham. Genesis 13:5 says, “Lot also, who went with Abram, HAD FLOCKS AND HERDS AND TENTS.” As they prospered, the land became too small for them and as a result their staff where constantly involved in ‘trade disputes’ (Genesis 13:5-7).
Ordinarily one would expect Lot to walk up to his uncle – Abraham and seek the way of peace but he didn’t. I believe his pride wouldn’t let him. Abraham, instead of feeling disappointed and betrayed choose the way of peace. He told Lot to look at the land and make his choice! He was willing to allow Lot the right of ‘first pick!’ Even at this point Lot still didn’t learn his lesson as he chose the lush lands of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 13: 9-13). When Lot was captured and had his property taken away all because of his wrong choices, Abraham still took his men, fought for him and rescued him (Genesis 14:10-16), he refused to be deterred in his pursuit of peace. Years later in Genesis 18:16-33 when God wanted to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their iniquities, Abraham didn’t take his pound of flesh, guess what he did? He interceded for Lot. Abraham is a proof that it is not just enough to forgive – forgiveness MUST be accompanied by ACTS OF KINDNESS!
Long before Paul wrote to the church in Ephesian 4:3 to be, “… ALERT at NOTICING DIFFERENCES and QUICK at MENDING FENCES “(MSG), Abraham was living it. He told Lot, “PLEASE LET THERE BE NO STRIFE BETWEEN YOU AND ME … FOR WE ARE BRETHREN!” You MUST reject the offense and bitterness that the devil tries to bring because you cannot move forward by living in strife. Colossians 3:13-14 says, “Be even-tempered, CONTENT WITH SECOND PLACE, QUICK TO FORGIVE an offense. FORGIVE AS QUICKLY AND COMPLETELY as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, WEAR LOVE. IT'S YOUR BASIC, ALL-PURPOSE GARMENT. NEVER BE WITHOUT IT. (MSG)
Proverbs 20:3 says, “It is to ONE'S HONOR TO AVOID STRIFE, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” (NIV) Avoiding strife is an honorable thing before God and He will always be a just umpire on the side of the man of peace. In this whole episode that transpired between Abraham and Lot the bible says in Genesis 13:14 says, “And the Lord said to Abram, AFTER LOT HAD SEPARATED FROM HIM: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward.” God gave blessed Abraham and gave him as much as he could see!
Notice that God only spoke ‘after’ not before Lot left! He was watching Abraham and Lot the period! Probably you’ve really been hurt and betrayed and you are wondering, “God where are You in all these?” The truth is, He is waiting for you to make your move. Make sure that move is LOVE and you will hear HIM in Jesus name.
CONFESSION:
I am born of love and love dwells in me so I choose the way of peace. I refuse to walk and live in strife and bitterness. I forgive as I have been forgiven. I let go any bitterness and I allow the love and peace of God!
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