Genesis 13: 5 - 8 (NKJV)
“5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. 6 Now the land was not able to [a]support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 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. 8 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. “
It has been said that strife is always in the air, but we as beautiful daughters of the Most High God, you and I must choose to not to catch it.
From our scriptures this week we learn that God had blessed both Abraham and Lot materially. He blessed them so much that there was not enough room to contain both their possessions. They were blessed but that which was a blessing from God, the enemy chose to turn into a problem. Strife which is a spirit, was released into the hearts of both Abraham and Lot’s herdsmen. When strife comes into any home, church, place, it brings argument, wrangling, bickering, contention, controversy, disagreement, dissension, discord, friction, quarrels, dispute etc.
Thank God for Abraham. He was a wise man, a God -fearing man and a people loving man. He valued relationship more than he valued things. He valued the bond of family. So, he stepped in and dismantled the spirit of strife before it damaged his family relationship.
We can all learn from this. Let’s be like Abraham and not give strife any place in our hearts first of all, in our marriages, in our homes, with our families both nuclear and extended, in our church. Let’s be those who with the wisdom of God sow peace and are peace makers. Let’s fight for good relationships at all times. Never be one who fuels the fire of strife, instead like Abraham quench that fire before it gets out of hand.
May the Lord help each one of us to be alert and be aware that our adversary roams around seeking whom to side track with the spirit of strife. May we always be one step ahead, fully alert and not giving him room in our lives and in our homes in Jesus name Amen.
Shalom…