We see the power of decisions as Abram and Lot faced pivotal decisions regarding their land. They needed to separate to have enough land for all their livestock. Abram graciously allowed Lot to choose first, leading to Lot’s choice of the fertile plains of Jordan, while Abraham remained in the less desirable land of Canaan.
Genesis 13: 12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord. [1]
Sodom or Canaan?
Lot chose the area near Sodom because, at that point, it was well-watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt.[2] He chose this based on appearances rather than considering any spiritual consequences. He didn’t seem concerned for his Uncle Abram and took what looked the best for himself. He moved his tents, but Scripture says nothing about an altar. Lot seemed to walk away from God and toward the world’s evil.
As the story progresses, Lot moves from living near Sodom (Ch. 13) to living in Sodom (Ch. 14) and eventually becomes a leader in Sodom (Ch. 19). His decision in this story will have a profoundly negative impact on his life and that of his family. Eventually, God will destroy Sodom, and instead of being fertile, it will be a wasteland.
In contrast, Abram was willing to settle in the less prosperous area of Canann because he trusted God’s provision. He was willing to walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5: 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.[3] Abram had learned an essential lesson in Egypt. Spiritual alignment with God’s will is often more crucial than immediate rewards. God is faithful even in seemingly barren situations.
Impactful Decisions
As adults, we often face decisions that can impact our lives and the lives of those around us. We can see that it is crucial to make wise, God-honoring decisions to navigate challenges and temptations. Our choices reflect our faith; choosing wisely leads to God’s blessings, even in difficult situations. When we know God is faithful, we can be willing to wait for His timing and provision.
We should seek spiritual depth and growth over mere material success because it reflects the heart of Christ, who chose sacrifice over worldly gain. Unlike Lot, who decided based on appearances, Jesus chose the path of suffering for our sake, blessing those who follow Him with eternal life. Jesus’ choice to embrace the cross, which seemed like folly to the world, was the path to our redemption and blessing.
To learn more about the power of decisions, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/navigating-choices
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.