January 6

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you knew you needed to end or significantly change a relationship? That is exactly where Abraham was in Genesis chapter thirteen when conflict erupted between his shepherds and those who worked for his nephew, Lot.

Abraham separated himself from Lot in a very wise way:

1.     He acted proactively. Separating from someone is never easy. When it becomes unavoidable, postponing it makes it harder and winds up causing greater fallout. Abraham did not wait until a quarrel between herdsmen escalated into a quarrel between kinsmen.

2.     He acted redemptively. Abraham’s goal was a better relationship with Lot, the orphan nephew he had taken under his wing. He did not separate from Lot because it was easy to do or because he was angry, but because it was best.

3.     He acted graciously. Abraham did not point the finger, worry about establishing blame, or care about getting in the last word. His words stressed the way he valued Lot as a person and a family member. He called him a “brother.”

4.     He acted generously. Although Abraham was the patriarch of the family and by rights owned all the territory involved, he let the younger man choose the land he wanted to receive. Since the plains were more easily farmed than the mountainous acreage, Lot appeared to get the better end of the bargain. That did not bother Abraham. He valued people more than property, relationship more than real estate.

Was it worth it, you ask? Would Abraham ever regret acting selflessly in order to avoid unnecessary controversy, pain, and stress in his relationship?

The answer to that question is found in verses 14-17, “The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, ‘Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring…Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you...”’

Everything Abraham had given away, God was now giving back to him. God honored Abraham for honoring Lot.

My prayer for you and for me is that any time we process such relationally difficult moments in our own lives, God will give us the wisdom and the grace to act like Abraham…!

Pastor Mark