READ: GENESIS 13:1
CHALLENGE: Trust God Through Conflicts
Vv1-4 – So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.
A. CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES – IS THIS REALLY A PROBLEM?
Vv5-7 – Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
1. Is This Battle Choosing Me?
2. Am I Choosing This Battle?
Are you choosing the battle or is the battle coming to you.
B. MAKE PEACE THE GOAL
V8 – So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives.
Romans 12:8 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Ephesians 4:30-32 – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
C. RESOLVE IT IN FAITH
V9 – Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”
1. Offer Solutions
2. Take the Low Road.
· He’s not controlling
Can you see how he wasn’t trying to be controlling. He put out the non-negotiable where there needed to be change. He suggested a solution. He allowed Lot some say. It’s brilliant.
· His faith is in God
How can Abraham be so at ease with this? He is promised the land of Canaan. Abraham is trusting God. He took matters into his own hands in Egypt and that was a disaster. Now he’s allowing God to direct him.
3. Change Where You Can
Philippians 2:3-4 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Genesis 2:24 – That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united.
I’ll make changes wherever I can. If you want me to pick something up or stop saying something. I try to be very agreeable.
What can you do to keep the peace?
