HALLEUYAH! HALLELUYAH!! HALLELUYAH!!!
RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2022
WEEK 6: (February 14 – February 20, 2022)
WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS:
Genesis 13:14-18 (NIV)
14 The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring[a] forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.”
18 So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord
INTERPRETATION
Nothing is more important than one’s standing before God. God created humans for a very special purpose and being on earth is not haphazard, it’s planned. Any human can come into right standing with God through faith, apart from good works. Abraham exemplifies the duo (faith and good works) – though he was renowned for his unwavering faith in God which earned him the nomenclature, Father of faith. This also compelled God to reveal Himself unto Abraham through the covenant he made with him.
In today’s scripture, the text shows Abram (Abraham) settling in Hebron after offering his nephew Lot the first choice of which area to establish his family. The splitting was because the land they occupied at that time could no longer accommodate them due to the enormity of their livestock; hence, the separation. Lot chose to live in the lush (lavishly productive), Abram chooses to live in the general region of Canaan.
It should be noted that Abram made a generous offer, stating that if Lot should take left, he will go right even when he can as well take possession of all the lands because God gave the land to Abram and not Lot. Abram was able to fight when the occasion demanded it; he did not yield to Lot out of weakness but out of love and trust in God. He placed his neighbour first. Due to this generous act, Abram once again hears a promise from God that he and his descendants will one day possess all the land he can see. Showing genuine love is an act of being in right standing with God. Abraham as the figure of faith genuinely showed love to Lot and he received God’s covenant.
Beloved, this is a reminder to preserve neighbourly peace. Abram enjoyed the visits of divine grace because he possess a calm spirit and placed his relation ahead of himself. Paul in his letter to the Philippians said “Let each of you look out not only for his own interest but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). God is able to replenish in multiple folds whatever we lose in preserving peace as the prospect seen by faith are more rich and beautiful than those we see around us.
PRAYER
Jehovah, Jesus Christ, Holy Michael, thank you for your word. Father, we pray this day that you strengthen our hearts to be in right standing with you. Teach us to hold on to your promises. Empower us to put our neighbours first and pursue peace at all times even when it seems not to be convenient. May your spirit dwell in us and help us to have faith in you and you only. This and many more we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you and God bless. Shalom.
Footnote: “A life without Christ is full of crisis but life in Christ is a great life full of peace. Let that be your Guide & Guard”
Isaiah 59:1 – Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear”