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The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from 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

Lot and Abram (Abraham) could no longer live together due to the size of their herds of livestock. Abram generously gave Lot the first pick of the land, and he chose the rich plains to be his own. After Lot left, God came to Abram and restated his promise. All the land that Abram saw around him was his. One day the land would be filled with descendants of Abram.

I wonder what was going through Abram’s mind as he saw Lot leave. Lot was one of the last ‘ties’ to his former life in Ur. Lot was taking the better land for himself. God’s promise of children was disappearing as he and Sara grew older. There must have been many questions going through Abrams mind as he contemplated the future.

As Christ-followers God has given us many promises. There are times when the journey we call life is full of potholes and detours. Some of these are a result of our own poor choices. Some are a result of the evil world we live in.

Like Lot, there are times when people seem to take advantage of us, taking the best for themselves and leaving us with second best. Even during these times we need to remember God’s promises for us. God told Abram to look ahead. He encouraged him to walk the land. I think what God was really saying that day was this.

“Don’t be stagnant. Look at all that live has to offer you. I’ve told you I would bring you here and I have. I told you I’d increase your wealth and I have. I told you I’d give you land, and I’m doing that now. I’ve told you that someday I will bless you with many offspring. Trust me.”

God didn’t bless Abram because of who Abram was or what he did for God. God blessed Abram because of who God is and His love for Abram.

The same is true for us as we make this journey called life. There will be setbacks. There will be times when others take advantage of us. There will be times when God’s promises seem to get lost in the shuffle of life itself.

As Abram went through life he built altars, reminders of Gods promises and blessings. We need to build altars in our lives. Places we can return to when life gets complicated, places where we can get back to the roots of our spiritual heritage. God may seem distant right now. It may seem like you have strayed too far from him. It’s during those times we need to keep moving towards God. His promises are sound. Life may change us, but life never changes Gods ability to fulfill His promises.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for the story of Abram and for how you blessed him during the changes of life. I thank you for this story of Lot and how, even though change happens and sometimes we get taken advantage of, your promises are still true. Help me during the wilderness times of life to return to the altars I’ve set as reminders of your great love and forgiveness. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.