Devotion for Monday 12 July
Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book Genesis, Chapter 13 verse 8, “Abraham said to Lord: Let there be no strife between you and me, between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are kinsmen,” (NRSVB). The background to this scenario is the strife between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot and the people who lived between Bethel and Ai, where Abraham had built an altar for the Lord and called on his Name, when he departed from his native land. The problem was that the land could not sustain all the cattle grazing there. It became a constant concern for the various groups of herdsmen to find enough fodder for the various groups of cattle. Abraham realized the enormity of the problem and the impossibility of it being settled amicably, unless someone would be willing to move. He decided that he would be the person who would settle this dispute and be the one who would be willing to move. He discussed it with his nephew, Lot, and debated with him, showing him that the whole border was being opened before them. It would be expedient for all if they moved and started to spread out. Thus they would be able to live in peace together, and would gain enough grazing pasture. This would quell the fear of scarcity amongst the herdsmen.
Abraham did not stand on his own rights and his seniority of position, but told his nephew that he must choose where he would like to settle. Following that, Abraham would travel in the opposite direction and find a place that would sustain his people and his flocks. Lot looked and saw the well watered lands of the Jordan, and he chose for himself the best grazing pastures, and moved there. Abraham did not grumble, nor dispute, but travelled in the opposite direction. God spoke to Abraham and said to him, “Arise and walk the land, for I will give it to you and your descendants.” Abraham moved to the terebinths or oaks at Mamre, in Hebron, and built and altar for the Lord. The negotiation style of Abraham and his decision to settle the strife, even if it costs him dearly, having to pack up and move from his land, was rewarded by God. Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God, Jesus told his followers in Matthew Chapter 5 verse 9.
Disputes and strife arise from the fear of scarcity. These disputes escalate to such heights that wars are declared and undertaken to protect rights that people consider in-alien rights. History has taught us that wars have no real winners, the calamity and destruction that follow these unresolved disputes, cause harm, destruction and death to innocent people. The ideologies that push people to a mindset and fear and scarcity cause people to re-act by hoarding, thus further exacerbating the situation. Jesus taught us that we should have no fear for the day of tomorrow for our Father in heaven will care for us, just as he cares for the lilies of the field and the birds of the sky. “First of all seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and then all these things taken together, will be given you besides,” Matthew 6 verse 33, (Amplified Bible). As children of God, our Father in heaven, we have a heavenly command not to enter into strife, but defuse these situations.
The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Romans in Chapter 12 verse 2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God,” (Amplified Bible). Christ has shown his disciples that his good and acceptable and perfect will for his followers is to commit to service to those around you, out of love for them, and love for your Father in heaven. Seek their well-being, above your own. When we choose that God’s glory should be honoured, then we can, with joy, step away from that which belonged and have been given to us, and be peace-makers. Peace-makers not only talk the talk, but walk the walk and hold people and their needs in high esteem. “Outdo one another in showing honour,” writes the Apostle Paul in Romans Chapter 12 verse 10.
Father, teach us how to show honour to those with whom we come into contact. This we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who honoured and loved us so much, that he laid down his life, so that we can live, Amen.
