Choices Impact Lives

 

Genesis 14-19                   John 5                  Psalm 123

 

In Genesis 14 – 19 the story of Abram and Lot going their separate ways leads to a picture of the results of choices that are made by both Abram and Lot. Abram gave Lot the choice of where to go and live. Lot looked at the land, saw the good in that location but failed to see the dangers of that place. We next see Lot taken captive because of where he choose to live and who ruled over him. Uncle Abram would have to come to the rescue. After he is rescued, he returns to the sin filled community in which he has become most comfortable.

 

The next couple of chapters are the story of Abram, while believing and trusting in God, doubting along with Sarai leading the way, and looking for ways to move that promise along. The result is sin, hurt, division and the family being scattered. The struggle is real to believe God is good about his promises and not seeing them fulfilled in the timeframe we think works. We look for ways to fulfill the promise rather than waiting for the Lord to keep his.

 

It needs to be pointed out that Abram still struggles with believing what God promises because to him it seems impossible. When the original promise of a son that will be a fulfillment of God’s promise to him long ago becomes a current promise, he laughs because he can’t see how that promise can be possible to this old couple. Saria laughs as well. How often do we laugh when we think God doing for us what he promised don’t happen in our own time?

 

My reading today in Genesis ended with Lot once again living in the midst of sin in a location of his choosing. While he tries to uphold the family tradition of welcoming and protecting the traveler, he finds the need to make terrible decisions and again fails. When told that he must leave or face death he is willing to go but wants to control where he goes rather than following those sent to save him. In the end he ends up where God wanted him in the first place. How often are we that way? We look and decide that we know better than God what is right for us and where we out to go.

 

Turning to John 5 it is the story of one that has been waiting for someone to help him find healing and when Jesus offers it now it is gratefully received. The response to that is anger, Jesus didn’t do it in the acceptable time frame allowed. The thought turns to believing in Jesus and the offer of eternal life. The authority to judge has been given to Jesus but his desire is to turn their hearts back to God is greater than his need to judge. How often do we decide we are better able to execute God’s judgement and demand that our way be declared as right?

 

Jesus challenge was for people to dig deeper into the Word and allow it to shape their life. There is an important question ask at the end of the chapter. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? How do we answer that question?

 

Finally Psalm 123 challenges us to lift up our eyes to the one enthroned in the heavens and to continue to look to God until he is gracious to us. Then our soul will be greatly filled.

 

To whom are you looking for fulfillment today?