QT 8/21/2025 Gen 13:1-8, Going to God first

Genesis 13:1–8 (ESV) —

1 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.

2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. 5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, 6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, 7 and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.

 

NOTE: Even when you are in the will of God, that does not mean everything is going to go right. Strife is part of living in a fallen world whether you are walking with God or not. The enemy tries to consume us over things that are not really that important. Sin itself causes us to be jealous or for others to be jealous of us. The world's culture tells us how we should be living and we find ourselves falling short and desiring to be like all the other "supposedly happy" people -- all of which is a lie. Life is hard. The advantage of a relationship with God is threefold. One, we have a constant source of peace and stability in the midst of a painful world. Two, we have an inheritance with God; we don't have to follow the world's advice and try to get rich. Three, we have the word of God, the truth, which all men seek and most men deny.

 

Let us not despair but rather give our fears and worries and hard things to God. 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) — casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. We need to bring God into our everyday life. We need to trust him when things don't seem to be going right.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I try to work everything out in my own power?
2. Or do I first go to God and ask for his help before I take any step?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know this is a weakness for me, doing things in my own strength. Thank you for testing me. I know I need to pray more, and I know I need to pray first.