The LORD's Day, March 21, 2010

Choices

Genesis 13.1-17

Life is full of choices. Some carry little or no consequence. Like when at the Diner the waitress asks, "Would you like Jello or rice pudding for dessert?" Maybe if you are watching your weight there could be a conseqence to this but it is very small. (Go ahead and have the whipped cream!)

Other choices are huge like, "Who will I marry?" and "How will I live my life?" and "Where will I spend it?" These questions were already settled for Abram and Lot. They had returned from the "detour" to Egypt during the famine. They were back in Bethel, the House of God. As they were moving along, the lnad could not support them both (vs.5-7)

1. God's Blessings Made Them Face A Choice. v.6

This is true in a congregation as well as in a family. I was born in Queens in 1956. My dad and mom and I lived in an upstairs apratment on North Conduit, right across from Kennedy Airport (before it was called Kennedy). In May 1959 we moved out on the Island to Bellmore and in April 1960 my brother was born. (That is what was called family planning back in the day). We lived in that little bungelo until 1963 when we moved into a Cape Cod on the other side of town. Shortly after that move my sister was born. The family was growing and we needed more room. This was similar to Abram and Lot.

God blesses and we need to make room for those blessings, not only in our homes but in our hearts. Blessed are the children whose parents make room for them.

2. Abram Gave His Nephew Lot A Choice. v.9

Abraham could have taken the better land by virtue of the fact he was the one called by God and he was older. Abraham didn't believe in entitlements. He was confident God would bless him. His faith in the LORD freed him from grabbing the best or looking out for number one. Besides this he had his heart set on the Eternal City. Hebrews 11.10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, Whose Architect and Builder is God... v.16 they were longing for a better country- a heavenly one. Note: Are we? I need to stop there because this is a whole other message.

So Abram chose not to choose. He let God choose for him by letting Lot choose. Let chose what appeared to be the best land. He chose what appealed to his eyes (v.10) Abram went with the faith in his heart. Lot's choice was foolish and eventually destructive. He lost everything.

How very careful and prayerful we should be about the issues of life.

"Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it come the issues of life." Proverbs 4.23 One of the verses my grandmother wrote in my autograph book from 6th grade 42 years ago. The other was Proverbs 3.5-6

Do you see the deeper truth here? People can become "very spiritual" when faced with big decisions or disease or death. The 3 D's... but that is not God's way. He wants us to be spiritual so that when we face decisions like Abram it isn't a traumatic or dramatic thing, The decision is alreay made for us! We go with the faith God has placed there.

3. Lot Chose Grass- Abraham Chose God.- vs.11-17

See the greater issue here? We chose daily (Jesus spoke about our cross like this). He taught us to pray like this and live like this. Choosing what is right, humility and trusting in Him.

The well watered plain was near the wickedness of Sodom. This is often true. When choices are based purely on money we fall into the sinful traps set around us. We don't see them for what they are. When decisions are made on what is appealing then destruction is usually not far off.

If money were the deciding factor Hudson Taylor would never have launched the China Inland Mission.

Abraham made the right choice and God blessed him. We will have the same thing happen to us. Think about the ultimate blessing that Abraham received- through you all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Isaac- Jacob- David- JESUS- God's family- born from above.

What appealed to be a life of relative ease and wealth for Lot ended up in ashes. Lot,in time, lost it all, while Abraham ended up praying for him and enjoying God's continued blessings until he went on to the greatest blessing- the one out of this world- being with the LORD forever.

Choose this day Whom you will serve.