06/02/2013 - AFTER…

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And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.

Genesis 13:14-15

Abram – later renamed Abraham – had received the promise and was on his way, therefore the blessing was his. However, his nephew accompanied him. Oftentimes, those who are called carry family members without taking any responsibility for their lives. Over time some become blessings but others can turn into problems. In such cases separation is necessary.

Despite sharing God’s faithfulness to Abraham, Lot did not pay attention to the fact that his shepherds were quarreling with those who had God’s blessings on themselves and their work. This represents the greed that gets into the heart of those who are called to serve alongside the ones who are responsible for the ministry. This happens because of illicit desires, among other things. When the “shepherds” – a metaphor to talk about feelings – are not on the same page when it comes to obeying the Lord, it is time to put an end to it because contention may run rampant and such a thing is not from God.

The Almighty only spoke to Abram about his territory when Abram made the decision to separate from his nephew. Those who have a calling miss out on great blessings when they allow kinship, bad companies, filthy desires, greed and other temptations nestle in their heart. When one sees justification for their errors it is a sign of satanic work in their life and, as a result, the divine plan comes to halt.

Sometimes a friendship has to be broken up, however painful it might be. Every close interaction brings people together and they develop bonds of consideration but by not keeping an eye out they may also develop intimacy and in some cases even bonds of sin, so such connections must be broken. Lot did not rebuke his shepherds because he failed to realize he was just a family member and it was not he who had received the call. Then, the holder of the blessing, Abraham, had to make the decision.

The Almighty ordered Abram to lift his eyes and contemplate the extent of what he had been promised. The pain of being separated from his nephew would be rewarded with the grandeur of what was being prepared for him. Later, Abram was used once again to help Lot, but then what mattered was that there were no more shepherds to disturb their peace.

The Lord is a faithful God and He will give you what He has promised when you break the bonds that are keeping you away from the divine plan. There will always be a reward for those who obey because this is a promise from on High.

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares