Blessings on the Left and on the Right

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Blessings on the Left and on the Right

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

“[Abraham said to Lot], ‘Is not the whole land before you?  Let’s part company.  If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.’” (Genesis 13:9 NIV)

When Abraham’s herdsmen began to quarrel with the herdsmen of his nephew Lot, Abraham suggested that they separate /so that each group could spread out with their livestock and their herds and their tents, each on their own land.  As the patriarch, Abraham could have demanded first choice of the land //in which each would settle. 

But, to the surprise—no doubt—of the herdsmen themselves, Abraham gave first choice to his nephew Lot.  He said, “If you go to the left, I will go to the right; and if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”  That’s because, in faith, Abraham believed that if he went to the left, God would bless him on the left; and if he went to the right, God would bless him on the right!

We all know the story:  Lot chose what appeared to be the best land, but he ended up in the wicked city of Sodom.  But because Abraham didn’t go by what looked pleasant /to the eyes, but trusted in God instead, this is what God said to him:  “Lift up your eyes /from where you are and look north and south, east and west.  [All the land that you see] I will give to you and your offspring forever” (Genesis 13:14-15)!

God blessed Abraham /because Abraham trusted him, and by giving up his own right to the best portion, he ended up gaining so much more: he was blessed with the favor of God /upon his life and the lives of his loved ones.  What a wonderful promise for every believer today!  God’s got our back and, as with Abraham, he can bless us on the left and on the right!

Read Genesis 13:1-18.