Reading: Genesis 13:1-13

'Stop the Strife'

"So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me,
Nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers." (Gen 13:8)

The magnanimity of Abram was clearly evident when strife became apparent among family members. The moment of decision took place near Bethel where he had built an altar and first called on God many years before. In those early days he had very little. In this passage, we now see that the Lord had blessed Abram and as his nephew Lot with great possessions. Well, that created a huge problem. There wasn't enough room for all of Abram and Lot's livestock and strife broke out between the herdsmen of both camps. Now it would seem that Abram, being the elder and with greater possessions, he should have had 'first pick' of land he wanted. There was the well-watered, garden-like valley of the Jordan and the land of Canaan. Abram showing great humility and desiring no fighting among the brethren let Lot choose first. It seems that Abram gave up quite a bit to avoid strife. I wonder if I would be willing to do it.

Lord, help me to be a peacemaker and give me
opportunities to practice preferring others to myself.