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.” (Genesis 13:8-10 ESV)
Family and Faith
If I admit that worry is a sin, then a common temptation for me is worrying about my family. Whether it is family traveling, family struggling with employment, family making strange decisions, or just simply family being too far away, it is easy to slip into worry. But God gives an answer to those worries. He offers faith.
Uncle Abram could have been worried about Lot. Lot had attitude problems. Lot had business problems. Lot had family problems. I might say Lot had lots of problems.
But as Abram stood on that hill and suggested a risky idea, he spoke from faith. Lot might choose the better land. Lot might wander from Abram in heart as well as body. Lot might fall in with some suspicious people.
But Abram chose faith. Remembering God’s help as Abram had wandered, Abram had faith that God would help Lot. Remembering God’s protection as Abram encountered enemies, Abram had faith that God would protect Lot. Remembering God’s presence with Abram no matter how long the road, Abram had faith that God would be present with Lot.
The results of Abram’s faith are astonishing, although they should not be. God did help Lot… He even sent angels. God did protect Lot… He even brought Lot out of Sodom in the nick of time. God was present with Lot… even when Lot was unfaithful.
But the most astonishing result did not happen for many years. Abram’s faith that God would love Abram’s family ended up with a young Moabitess (the nation of Moab were descendants of Lot) named Ruth.
Who found faith, too.
And Ruth begat Obed… who begat Jesse… who begat David.
And David led to the Christ. The Savior.
When it comes to your family, take up faith instead of worry.