And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. (Genesis 13:1-11).
Today's Morsel: If anyone had earn the right to choose the best land, it was Abraham. He was the one who had left home when God told him to at all cost. Lot was just along for the ride. But I guess that since Lot had been with him after the death of his father, he felt as though he had earned some rights. How about you, do you always want to be first in the choosing process? Jesus said that the first shall be last and the last first. Jesus is the first and He is the last. Sometimes we fuss at our children for wanting their way, fighting over who gets to go first, but what about us? Most people never outgrow wanting things to go their way, and so they struggle with it. The next time you see a child ruining his whole day over something that seems insignificant, think about the things you get upset over such as a parking space, uncooked food, a bad call when we are playing a game, you don't get to sing, or be the leader, or someone goes before you. Why not stop and see if there is a more peaceable way and be like Abraham and tell them to go first. The golden rule must always be applied in every situation. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. John Calvin said, "Whenever there is a disposition to quarrel, there you can be certain God does not reign." Many folk do not grow spiritually because they prefer to choose what they think is right instead of relying on God to choose for them. We need to say to Jesus, "Lord, You know what's best for me."
Sing: Jesus! Jesus! You know what best for me. So lead on, Jesus; I'll go wherever You lead.
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