6 JUNE
No loser
‘And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.’ Genesis 13:14–15
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Romans 8:28–39.
Happy is he who has the God of Israel for his help … [Psalm 146:5]. Whatever changes or trials he may meet, he has a sure resource. From these verses we may take note of the time: after Lot had separated.
Observe:
(i) Abraham had given up something for the sake of peace—now he is made amends. It is good to be willing to suffer for the Lord’s sake and to commit our cause to him. Such shall be no losers.
(ii) Abraham had lost the company of a dear friend and associate. But the Lord visited him. We are liable to be separated from those we love, by many things, but who shall separate from the Lord? Communion with him can make up the want of creature converse and creature assistance.
(iii) The land was designed for Abraham’s family, not Lot’s—it was necessary that Lot should settle elsewhere, yet his own fault was the immediate occasion. Thus the Lord overrules the mistakes as well as the good intentions of his people, and in general the actions of mankind, to his own glory (Genesis 45:8; Luke 2:1). When Lot was gone, the promise was confirmed.
FOR MEDITATION:
Since all that I meet
Shall work for my good,
The bitter is sweet,
The medicine is food;
Though painful at present,
’Twill cease before long,
And then, oh! how pleasant,
The conqueror’s song!
SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 26 [1/2], GENESIS 13:14–18
Milo 