“LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING”

MEMORY VERSE: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

BIBLE READING: Exodus 38-40

Two men lived in a land. Both were shepherds; they served the Lord and as a result, the Lord increased their substances to the extent that the land could no longer contain them. One day,they decided to part ways. The first man lifted up his eyes and chose what he saw. Genesis 13:10-11 says: “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Lot leaned on his own understanding and as a result, he became a neighbour to God’s enemies (Genesis 13:12-13). He and his wife were taken captive shortly after their move (Genesis 14:11-12). Out of mercy, the Lord delivered him and he moved to Sodom. Many years later, the Lord destroyed Sodom and he lost all – his wife, home and properties (Genesis 19). Lot became homeless and began to dwell in rocks.

The other person, on the other hand, choose what he was shown. Genesis 13:14 says: “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward.” As a result, Abram became a deliverer – the Lord used him to deliver Lot. He had children; his lineage continued even to this day. Abram became a blessing to many generation. We cannot run from making decisions (if we want to continue to live). Even plants make decision – they bend towards sunlight when kept in a dark room. Decision-making is inevitable. Deuteronomy 30:19 says: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” We have no other choice than to make decisions and face the consequences of our decisions. Many single brothers choose their wives based on sight. They married ladies who could cook, who appeared quiet, etc.; they were not led by God into those marriages. They discovered after marriage that these ladies cooked only when they were happy ( and they are rarely happy). They were quiet only when they had their ways. They (these brothers) discovered all sorts – these women argued a lot, never forgave and complained of everything – after marriage and wished they were single. The same with sisters, they married brothers based on their looks, bank balances and assets. They discovered after marriage that these brothers were wife-beaters, serial womanisers, drug addicts,unusually stingy,etc. Many of us choose careers, jobs, apartments, churches to attend, schools to send our children,etc. by sight. Make sure you are led by God because it is dangerous to choose by sight. Remember, not all that glitters is gold.

NOTE: Things always appear attractive until you move closer. The fig tree looked great until Jesus moved closer and discovered it had no fruit.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.