Be A Peacemaker

Genesis 13:7-9 -  And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.  Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

Abram left Egypt with his wife …Lot… and so much livestock and servants between them that strife broke out among the herdsmen of the two. The land was just not able to support the two of them living side by side where they were. So Abram offered Lot the first choice of the land that one could see spread out before them.

Lot chose selfishly….seeing the lushness of the land of Jordan….he travel east and settled near the town of Sodom. Abram took the other direction…once again hearing God confirm the promise to make his descendants as numerous as the dust under his feet. God was giving him the land as far as he could see in any direction.

Abram took what was left and stopped to thank God...he stepped out in faith once again and built another altar to him when he stopped to pitch his tents near Hebron…next to the tree of Mamre.  Abram’s decision to build an altar did not just provide a place to worship and make a sacrifice to God.  It marked the place where he had spoken with God…received direct instructions from him.

One of the reasons God must have chosen Abram was his ability to be a peacemaker.  He was so confident in what God had promised him that he was able to give Lot first choice of what was available to them as a place to live. He knew that God had a plan that included all of his family…and was willing to  take a back seat as long as needed for God to work out the details.

It’s a quality that God blesses....just read Matthew 5:9  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Or Romans 12:18… “ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”  And the granddaddy of all peace Bible verses Philippians 4:6-7 … “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It is a reminder to me that God blesses the effort to make peace with a peace of mind that only a believer can understand.  It is a calling to be a peacemaker in all that we do. It is a quality of a true believer to trust God to work out the details.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you have embedded in me the ability to be a peacemaker.  Forgive me for the times that I have selfishly demanded my own way…or failed to work toward peace in all that I do.  Help me to be like Abram…willing to wait on you to work out the details…when choosing peace seems to be a move in the wrong direction. Amen.