Genesis 13:8 – 13 (NLT)

8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!

9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.

12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the LORD.

• Jesus before Genesis:
  

Colossians 1:15 – 20 (NLT)

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

• Jesus in Genesis:
  

Genesis 3:14 – 15 (NLT) 14 Then the LORD God said to the serpent… 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He (Jesus) will strike your head, and you will strike His (Jesus) heel.”

The crushing of the serpent’s head was a picture of Jesus’ triumph over sin and Satan at the cross. The striking of the Jesus’ heel was a picture of the wounding and death of Jesus on the cross. Satan bruised Jesus’ “heel,” but Jesus showed complete destruction of Satan by crushing his “head.”

• Jesus before Abraham:
  

John 8:56 – 58 (NLT) 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.” 57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!”

It is important to notice what Jesus did not say. He did not say that “before Abraham existed, I existed.” Or, “Before Abraham was, I was.” Rather, He declared that before Abraham was even born, “I am.” Before Abraham was (past tense), Jesus is (present tense). Jesus declared His pre-existence.

Walking this out:

1. Don’t always trust you feel. Trust what you know from God’s Word. Sometimes your senses can deceive you.
   

8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!

The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart. Lot’s heart was centered on wealth and worldly achievement, while Abraham wanted only to please the Lord. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3)

Proverbs 3:5 – 7 (NASB)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart 
And do not lean on your own understanding. 
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, 
And He will make your paths straight. 
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; 
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 

2. Don’t always trust what you see.

Genesis 13:11 (NASB) 11 So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. Genesis 13:15 15 for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Monday Morning Moment: Lot had said, “I will take.” God said to Abraham, “I will give.” What a difference! “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16).