The essential drivers of obscured vision are refractive issues – myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (imperfection in the curvature of the eye), or presbyopia (gradual loss of seeing close things clearly). Blurred vision can likewise be an indication of a more significant issue.
Today we read about someone who just might have had a vision problem. There is an old saying, “the grass is always greener on the other side.” The meaning of this phrase is that whenever somebody is not happy with their own general situation in life, and consistently assumes that there are better things in different areas. This figure of speech typifies the human nature of continuously wanting something else than what you currently have. It communicates the possibility that individuals frequently figure an alternate situation would give them more noteworthy pleasure. Notwithstanding, the expression is regularly utilized with regards to reminding individuals that this is not typically the situation.
I believe that this fits the situation here.
Here we see Abram and his nephew Lot traveling together, with all their goods. They came upon the plain of Jordan. They had to come to an agreement to see who would settle where. Abram was the oldest and had the right to make the first choice. In this instance, Abram set an example in how to respond with a family situation. So, to keep from a possible family argument, he gave Lot the first choice. He let Lot have the best option, although it implied not getting what he wanted. Abram put family harmony before his own wants. Sometimes we may need to act in this way to keep the peace.
• Matthew 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
• Hebrews 12:14, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Abram and Lot’s herders could have worked together. They were surrounded by people that were not so friendly, downright hostile. But what did they do? They let trivial issues come between them. It is ironic how similar situations occur today. Christians will argue and bicker amongst themselves, and all the while the devil is working all around them, stirring up the embers.
Disagreements and arguments among Christians can harm cooperative attitude, trust, and harmony, which are the basis for good human relations. They can hamper progress toward significant objectives. They can likewise make us narcissistic, self-centered, as opposed to operating with love in our hearts. Jesus prayed for His followers in His final prayer. He asked God the Father that we all be one (John 17:20-26).
But how did Lot respond? How would we respond in a comparable situation?
1. We Should Look Deeper Than What Is on the Surface.
Lot saw only the material attraction. He looked at the immediate and alternate attraction. Lot saw only himself and his selfish interests. He put himself before others. Greed and covetousness were his motivating factors.
2. We Should Look at What We Fail to See.
Lot looked toward Sodom (see verse 10). He pitched his tent toward Sodom (see verse 12). He failed to see the sinfulness of Sodom (see verse 13). He failed to see the downward pull of sin, and then he lived in Sodom (see chapter 14).
Lot’s character was shown by the choices he made. He took the best though it meant living near a city of sin. He became greedy and did not do what would have been fair. Do we choose what we think is best and give no thought for others? Have we stopped making choices in the direction of God, and only make choices for ourselves? Have we not learned that our choices, without God, leads in the wrong direction?
Over in Genesis 19:15-29, key verse twenty-six, we learn that God sent two angels to rescue Lot. But there was a price paid by someone who looked back at the sinful way of living.
3. We Should Be Careful Not to Lose Our Spiritual Vision.
Lot failed to have his vision checked (values). Uncorrected worldly involvements lead to spiritual blurriness or spiritual blindness. Slipping into ungodly values may not come immediately, it comes gradually. Lot lost his spiritual vision. He became blind to genuine happiness. He became blind to his character. He became willing to give up his daughter. He became blind to the truth of God’s Word. He was warned, he lingered, and then he was forced to leave. He became blind to human decency.
4. We Should Get a Spiritual Vision Check-up.
The following are a few passages of Scripture in regard to seeking (looking for) God.
Trying to do good (actions, self, traditions) can lead to spiritually bad vision. We need to continually seek the guidance and direction from the spiritual eye doctor.
• 1 Corinthians 2:9, But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
• Isaiah 64:4, For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
If we seek the LORD (that means to look for God), then we shall find him.
• 1 Chronicles 16:11, Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
• Deuteronomy 4:29, But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
• Jeremiah 29:13, And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
• Proverbs 8:17, I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
• Isaiah 55:6-7, Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
When we seek unto God and commit unto him, great and marvelous things happen.
• Job 5:8-9, I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
The Lord does not forsake those who seek him, nor will they lack any good thing.
• Psalms 9:10, And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
• Psalms 14:2, The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
• Psalms 34:10, The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Those that seek the Lord will rejoice and be glad.
• Psalms 40:16, Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
If we are thirsty, we should seek the Lord.
• Psalms 63:1, O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
We are blessed when we seek the Lord with our whole heart.
• Psalms 119:2, Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
• Psalms 119:10, With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
The Lord is good to them that seek him.
• Lamentations 3:25, The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
We are to seek God first in all things (Matthew 6:33), and when we seek, we shall find (Matthew 7:7-8). That means to continually pursue God. Many often give up after a few attempts of searching and looking. To know God takes focus, it takes faith, and it means that we are to follow-through with our search.
God rewards those who diligently seek him.
• Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14, (If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land).
