The best is not always the best. What appears to be good superficially can be rotten to the core. Discernment and wisdom are crucial in making an accurate assessment.
Abram and his nephew, Lot, had reached an impasse. Both men had been enriched by Yahweh God, and the land they lived in was stretched to capacity to provide for their burgeoning livestock. A decision loomed, and Abram graciously allowed Lot the priority of choice.
"Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere - this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah - like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom." (Genesis 13:10-12)
Lot chose territory that resembled the beautiful Garden of Eden, with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in the midst. Abram was left with the land of Canaan, no doubt a less productive and appealing territory. But, we know the fundamental difference between the two areas chosen - Lot's territory was destined to become the land of judgement, while Abram's land was the land of promise. The lush, fertile land of Lot's choosing harbored peril and danger, while Abram's land was at the center of God's blessings.
We daily face "land choices". Deliberate choices are made each day as to the territory where we will live and work. We either choose the enemy's territory - where judgment and destruction ultimately await - or, we choose the land of blessing, where God is actively working. The challenge is to carefully discern the territory. The enemy's domain can look deceptively appealing and lush, whereas God's territory can appear forsaken and barren. Outward appearance can be dangerously deceptive.
Choose this day. Carefully survey the terrain. Look beyond outward appearances, and seek the land of blessing. Partner with your Father, and live today in the land of faithfulness and promise. In so doing, be assured that you are living and working in the land destined for the coming kingdom of God.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
Abram and his nephew, Lot, had reached an impasse. Both men had been enriched by Yahweh God, and the land they lived in was stretched to capacity to provide for their burgeoning livestock. A decision loomed, and Abram graciously allowed Lot the priority of choice.
"Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere - this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah - like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom." (Genesis 13:10-12)
Lot chose territory that resembled the beautiful Garden of Eden, with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in the midst. Abram was left with the land of Canaan, no doubt a less productive and appealing territory. But, we know the fundamental difference between the two areas chosen - Lot's territory was destined to become the land of judgement, while Abram's land was the land of promise. The lush, fertile land of Lot's choosing harbored peril and danger, while Abram's land was at the center of God's blessings.
We daily face "land choices". Deliberate choices are made each day as to the territory where we will live and work. We either choose the enemy's territory - where judgment and destruction ultimately await - or, we choose the land of blessing, where God is actively working. The challenge is to carefully discern the territory. The enemy's domain can look deceptively appealing and lush, whereas God's territory can appear forsaken and barren. Outward appearance can be dangerously deceptive.
Choose this day. Carefully survey the terrain. Look beyond outward appearances, and seek the land of blessing. Partner with your Father, and live today in the land of faithfulness and promise. In so doing, be assured that you are living and working in the land destined for the coming kingdom of God.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 8:10 AM
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