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However, the path of blessing was not smooth; a test was to come to them. When strife arose between Abram’s shepherds and Lot’s shepherds, Abram demonstrated a broad heart and took the initiative to say to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are relatives! Is the entire land not before you? Please separate from me; if you choose the left, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right, then I will go to the left” (Gen 13:8–9). Such a heart not only reveals Abram’s reliance on God—believing that God will personally look after him—it also shows how Abram valued his family in his willingness to give way to Lot.

Then Lot lifted his head and started to plan for himself. In the moment he “lifted his eyes to see”, what did Lot observe? He saw all the vicinity of the Jordan—that it was well watered everywhere—like the garden of Eden. In the face of such a tempting sight, Lot did not hesitate to choose to journey towards the east, to grasp hold of the abundance and prosperity that was before his eyes.

However, as he pursued the beauty that his eyes saw, he did not realise that he was losing that which was most precious. When he bid farewell to Abram, it was not only his loving uncle that he left, but step by step, Lot was also departing from God’s promised land. Perhaps in Lot’s mind, to leave Abram was a small matter; but he did not realise that he was already captured by what his eyes saw. Like a moth to a flame, Lot gradually moved towards the city of Sodom: a city that would soon see God’s judgement.

Lot’s choice is a reflection of the vision of the people of today. We prioritise the profit that we can see, our environment and material things; yet in our busyness, we neglect the things that have spiritual value as well as the promises of God. But we notice that Lot did not enter into sin with one step, but rather he underwent a process of “moving his tent as far as Sodom” (Gen 13:12): he gradually turned to compromise with the world. In the end, without him realising it, his faith had grown cold and was in decline. When the time came for judgement to come to Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot was only saved by the mercy of God, without which he would have paid the most painful price (Gen 19:19–26).

2. Abram lifted his eyes to see

The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now raise your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward, and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see I will give to you and to your descendants forever. I will make your descendants as plentiful as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can count the dust of the earth, then your descendants could also be counted.
Gen 13:14–16

As Lot departed from Abram to pursue the benefit that his eyes saw, God revealed greater promises to Abram. Whilst Lot focused on temporary prosperity, God wanted Abram to focus on the eternal, unchanging promises of God. Therefore, when we face conflicts between our life and our faith, we must learn to turn our eyes to God. Do not be shaken by our environment and keep the beginning of our commitment firm to the end (Heb 3:14, 11:8). We should put our hope in God, be steadfast in our heart to believe that the promises of God will surely be fulfilled (Rom 4:20–21). In this way, we will receive the blessings of God and will be able to dwell in the promised land.

Furthermore, when God instructed Abram to “lift up his eyes and see”, it was also a reminder to the spiritual descendants of Abraham; we should set our minds on the things that are above, and not on the things that are on earth (Col 3:1–2). As the people of God, we should seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Mt 6:33) and not love the world nor the things of the world, lest we lose the love of the Father (1 Jn 2:15). We must not neglect this great salvation (Heb 2:3). The workers of God and His shepherds must even more so have a heart for the Father’s business and to always be mindful of the work of the Kingdom of God (Lk 2:49). Only in this way can we see clearly God’s promises towards the church and understand His commission; not only to be mindful of the spreading of the Gospel, but to have a sense of urgency towards the spiritual life, growth and weaknesses of the believers (2 Cor 11:28–29).

3. Arise, and walk through the land

Arise, walk about in the land through its length and width; for I will give it to you.” Then Abram moved his tent and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron; and there he built an altar to the LORD.
Gen 13:17–18

Once we learn to use God’s vision to “lift up our eyes and see”, we will be able to see the abundance of God’s promises and realise that truly the fields are white for harvest (Jn 4:35). Therefore, we cannot be bystanders, but be determined to “arise”, and then walk through the land.

Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Mt 9:37–38). The lack of workers has been a problem that the church has faced throughout history, but God’s work does not depend on the strength of man to be accomplished. Just as it is written, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of armies” (Zec 4:6).

The church during the Apostolic times was originally a group of timid and weak disciples (Jn 20:19–22), but became emboldened to preach the Gospel to every land, and even to die as martyrs (Acts 1:8). The key to their change was the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. This abidance of the Holy Spirit is according to the promise that Jesus gave to His disciples. The Lord said, “I will not leave you as orphans” (Jn 14:17–18). The Holy Spirit not only allows us to become fellow workers with God (1 Cor 3:9), more importantly, God Himself is our commander (Josh 5:14), guiding us through the journey ahead and personally fighting for us (Josh 23:10).

The promises that the true God has given to the church is in fact the divine commission that He has given her. Jesus once instructed His disciples, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Mt 24:14). This is not only God’s desire, it is the church’s great mission.

Therefore, so long as we are willing to be good and faithful servants, submitting to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, being strong and courageous to “arise and walk through the land”, then we will surely accomplish the commission that God has given to us: to bring the Gospel to the whole world.

Hallelujah, Amen.