AN INSIGNIFICANT COMPROMISE?
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
Genesis 12:1-4 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
God calls Abram, who would later be known as Abraham, to leave his homeland, relatives, and his father’s family. God wants him to leave his comfort zone and travel to an unknown destination to make of Abram a great nation that will bless all the families of the earth. It will be through the family of Abram that Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior, would be born. But there is one interesting note in the story. In verse four we see these words, “and Lot went with him.” Pause a moment on that phrase. God had said to leave your family, but Abram chose to bring Lot. It may seem like an insignificant compromise, but partial obedience is disobedience. From the beginning of the story of Abram we see foreshadowing that perhaps the father of faith also has a very human side. A side that allows little compromises into his obedience. There will eventually be conflict between Lot and Abram, and they will have to split. Lot will move towards Sodom and Gomorrah. Abram will have to rescue Lot when he gets captured. Then Lot will move into Sodom and lose his family because of the wickedness he exposes them to. The end will not be good for Lot or his family because he was not supposed to be there. It is the little compromises that often cause us great trouble. When we begin to compromise on the directions of God, we open the door for trouble. It is easy to rationalize and justify our behavior. But when we choose to obey the Word of God fully, we put ourselves in a position for blessing. Any area of compromise will open the door for trouble and heartache. I imagine that Abram had many restless nights worrying over Lot. He watched the transformation in Lot and his family. He saw the bad choices and knew the consequences would not be good. I wonder how many nights he wished he had left Lot back home? I feel certain Abram had good intentions. He probably thought he was taking Lot with him so Lot and his family could be part of the blessing. But Lot was not part of God’s plan. The blessing for Abram became a curse for Lot.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please show me any areas of my life where I have compromised. Forgive me and help me to begin today to live in total obedience.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
Total surrender to Your will is my choice. I make that choice as I start this day. Empower me to walk that out in every area of my life.
Lord , I know the areas in my life that need to be maintained and compromised . I ask that you give me the strength when I fall Lord.. please
I want to be unashamed in full obedience to You
Yes Lord, shoe me the areas of my life where I and compromised. Nudge me me to realize that I belong to You and not the world.