INTERNAL VS EXTERNAL
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. 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. But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.
Genesis 13:10-13 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is a split between Abram and Lot. Conflict has arisen between the families because they have gotten so big with flocks and tents. God’s blessing has been on them. Abram tells Lot to choose whichever way he wants to go, and Abram will go the other way. In verse 11 we read, “Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them.” Lot seemed to make this choice because the valley appealed to his flesh. There were cities in the valley. There were people and opportunities for what looked like a life of ease and comfort. However, the writer concludes this part of the story with a sad statement: “But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.” What looked good and pleasing on the outside was full of wickedness on the inside. This resulted in Lot losing his family to the wickedness of the area. We will always make a mistake when we choose based on external appearances instead of internal realities. We live in a culture that is dominated by the external. People spend hundreds of dollars on the new cream that will make them look younger and take away all the wrinkles. Money and time are spent to have the right look and make the right impression. Our social media platforms are full of people posting filtered pictures of their “perfect” lives and “perfect” children. I love the family pictures and seeing friends travels and experiences. But that is not real life. They just deleted 15 pictures and added three filters to make that one second shot present the reality they want the world to see. I don’t want to see the pictures of the all the brokenness and heartache. That is not my message. My message is: let’s be careful we don’t live in a fake world. Don’t get caught up in a plastic world that has lost a sense of reality. Let’s don’t judge ourselves or others simply on outward appearance. Don’t spend so much time trying to keep up with others that we lose sense of God’s unique calling on our lives.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit, I invite You to show me Your plan for my life and family. I invite You to help me make wise choices about my direction. Help me to live according to Your will and not be constantly swayed by deceiving appearances.
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