September 5 - Worship and Trust

Today's Reading:
Genesis 13:5-15:21
Luke 3:1-22
Psalms 6:1-10 
Click on Text Link to Read Online

Focus Verses:
Genesis 13:8-9, 14-17
8 So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left." - - - 14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."

Insight:
The account of Abram and Lot going their separate ways begins and ends with Abram building altars to the Lord and looking to God. His worship and his trust went hand in hand. Faith in God is strengthened by a life of devotion, worship, prayer, and thanksgiving.

When their families and possessions became too large to manage together, Abram offered Lot the first choice of where he would like to go. Lot seems to have grabbed for himself what he thought would be the best and most promising option. Abram trusted God to provide for him, and God did not disappoint.

Response and Action:
My time spent in worship and devotion to God will strengthen my ability to trust in him. Living out my trust in God is an act of worship. Trusting God to provide for me helps me avoid conflict and petty quarreling with others. I don't have to fight and grab for my own interests if I truly believe God is watching out for me.

O Lord, help me to trust in you with all my heart and to not lean on my own understanding. May my worship before you become the solid foundation for the way I live. Instead of clawing and grabbing for myself, teach me to trust in you for the things I need. Help me to acknowledge you in every circumstance. Make my paths straight, and help me to live in peace with others as I believe you are watching over me and will be faithful to provide for me. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses:  
Proverbs 3:5-6 
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Resources:
Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard
by Paul Carlton Borgman