Scripture Nugget1.23.2017

Scripture Read – Genesis 12-15

Nugget Genesis 13:8-13

“Then Abram said to Lot, ‘Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herders and my herders; for we are kindred. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.’ Lot looked about him, and saw that the plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar; this was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward; thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.”

Devotional thought: This is the scripture story that first caused me to develop the concept of Over-the-Horizon Faith. Later I came to realize God’s Over-the-Horizon Promise comes first, living faithfully into that promise requires Over-the-Horizon Faith. In these verses, Lot demonstrated for us what happens when we settle for what is right in front of us. Lot did this routinely through his life. His daughters learned the lesson well, too well, as indicated by their actions later when they got their father drunk so they could become pregnant by him. See the story in Genesis19:30-38. Abram lived a life journeying for the horizons- the long term promises of God. His father had stopped short, his nephew Lot does so as well. Will I go, all the way to where I’m sent by God and be filled to overflowing? Or will I seek my own course?