Understanding God: He Reassures
And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere…like the garden of the Lord… Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan… 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; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered.” – Genesis 13: 10-11, 14-16
Our reference passage today provides us with another attribute of God. He assures and reassures His anointed about His good plans and intentions for them, so that they do not lose hope and give in to depression. He is a reassuring God.
Reading the passage in context, from Abraham’s position, it would have been easy for him to become despondent after his nephew chose the prime portion of the land for settlement and left the less attractive part for him to contend with. And we do not know if Abraham at any point entertained any regret or foreboding thoughts about the fact that his nephew took the good land.
However, whether Abraham did nurse such emotions or not, God was quick to visit him after Lot had departed, with assuring words that He was still with him and would bless, multiply, and make him great in the seemingly unfavorable land he found himself in.
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; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered.” – Genesis 13:14-16
These gestures on the part of God would have been a welcome development for Abraham. It would have offered him hope and put his mind at rest, not to entertain any ill will towards his nephew or habor any feeling of ill luck concerning himself.
Aside from Abraham, the scenario itself is also a pointer to the character of God that He does not abandon His own or leave them in the lurch. He was the one who made Abraham leave his comfort zone in Haran, in the first place, with promises of what He would do for him if he relocated. When the saga between Abraham and Lot happened, which resulted in Abraham ceding the better portion of the settlement to Lot, God was very quick in coming to Abraham with professions of His support and goodwill.
This should offer hope to anyone faithfully walking in God’s will that no matter how hard done by they might appear to be, God will always come through for them. It should also restore the confidence of those who feel forgotten that they are ever in God’s mind because He cares.
Selah!
Also read:
- Men in the Bible: An Impetuous and Impudent Man
- The Benefits of Wisdom: Pleasantness and Peace
- Bananas Conductor
- The Little Cross I Wear
- What Do I Do?
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