Fill in the blank to this statement: The grass is ( )on the other side of the fence.
What does this mean??
We all have a tendency not to be happy with what we have or where we are at. We have a tendency to imagine something better for us. Is this good or bad?
Proverbs 11:23 states, The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. And so, the tendency to desire something better is good if it is a righteous desire! We all have a tendency to desire something “greener” because we live in a sinful world!
Let us memorize Colossians 3:1-2, Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Let us commit this to memory - Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
The story of Abram and Lot after Egypt is a lesson for us. We note in Genesis 12 that Abram and his family were booted out of Egypt because of Abram’s lies.
But interestingly, Abram left Egypt as a rich man! (v1-2)
In v3-4 we note that Abram and his family went back to Canaan and worshiped God again (v3-4).
Lot, Abram’s nephew, also became rich (v5).
The area was too small for Abram’s and Lot’s clans and their possessions (v6-7).
There were also 2 other clans, the Canaanites and the Perizites, living in the same area. This was like 4 rich college girls trying to move into one dorm room!
But look again at v8-9 of Genesis 13, we see a glimpse of godly Abram! Abram took the initiative for peace and offered a choice for Lot!
Lot chose a land near Sodom. (v10-13)
And we note in v14-17, God affirmed His promises to Abram. Abram obeyed God and continued to worship Him (v18).
What are the godly principles from this story and how can we apply them to our lives?
1. God is committed to His promises!
God did it for Abram! While in Egypt, Abram lied and disowned his wife but Abram still left Egypt a rich man! Why, because God was committed to His promises to Abram.
Abram gave Lot a choice of land but God kept Abram in the right place. If Lot chose to stay where they were, could God have said to Abram what He said in v15, the affirmation of the promise?
God is committed to His promises and will affirm them. This is another reason why we have the Bible.
God wants us to remember His promises to us!
As a Believer of Jesus Christ, you have eternal life in heaven! Christians have so many riches promised by God! Hang on to those promises and know that God is committed to those promises. God is committed to His promises.
But, if you are not a believer of Jesus Christ, the only promise to you is judgment which will be eternal. Jesus said in John 3:18, Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Be warned! God will follow through on all His promises, including eternal judgment. Make a commitment today to believe in Jesus Christ as your only Savior and receive Him as Lord of your life. Trust God and the gift of Jesus Christ; only then can God’s rich promises will be true for you.
The 2nd biblical principle we can note is what results in trusting God. After Egypt, Abram again trusted God.
Look again at v8-9………….
In Egypt, Abram was selfish and greedy. Now back in Canaan, Abram desired peace and offered Lot what ever he wanted! How can Abram now be so comfortable and generous? God taught Abram a lesson in Egypt. Abram learned to be more faithful with God. You see, a sign of growing faith in God is contentment!
2. A strong faith in God leads to contentment and contentment gives power to love others.
How content are you with God? Do you find yourself complaining about so many things in life?
Psalm 125 :1 states, Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Jesus said in John 14:1-2, Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust God, trust also in Me.
Have you learned to trust in Jesus Christ? Let’s make it a habit to always say “I will trust Jesus for that!”
How are you going to live? Say it with me,
"I will trust Jesus for that!"
How will you deal with trouble which will come your way? "I will trust Jesus for that!"
How are you going to make that decision?
"I will trust Jesus for that!"
Now of course,
3. Trusting God means taking actions with God in mind.
We noted from v18, Abram acted on what God told him to do. We certainly can learn from Abram. Can we learn from Lot? Look again at v10-13………
Did Lot take action with God in mind?
What made Lot go to an area near Sodom??
Lot looked at the beauty and resources of the land but did not have God in mind when he chose an area to live.
There is nothing said about Lot praying about his decision but we can note that the land he chose was like the garden of the Lord and like the land of Egypt.
Lot was never in the garden of the Lord. Lot just heard about God’s garden and he imagined how beautiful it must have been; so Lot desired that type of land. But Lot had just been in Egypt and he knew the riches of that land.
Like Abram going to Egypt, Lot made a decision for selfish reasons.
We note in v12-13 that Lot pitched his tent near Sodom, not actually in Sodom. But look what happened in Genesis 14, v12……..
Lot chose the area near Sodom for selfish reasons; then he actually moved in Sodom, a well known wicked city.
Do you think Lot moved to Sodom to evangelize?
If he did, there is certainly no evidence of his testimony.
Lot took action without God in mind and it resulted in being in the middle of wickedness! How about us? Are we keeping God in mind when we make decisions and when we take action?
Like Lot, when we act without considering God, we can easily be trapped in sin.
Let us summarize the message.
God will always complete His promises!
We are to trust Jesus Christ more and more in our lives.
Trusting Jesus will lead you to contentment and contentment will empower you to love.
Consider Jesus Christ in every aspect of your life!
Talk to God always in Jesus Name!
