Genesis 13:12

Genesis 13:12 says, Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.  Lot chose to live in the cities of the plain and set up his camp near Sodom.  Lot had seemingly left Abram, who had brought him to the land, when he saw what looked to be an ideal place to live.  The land was good and it was close to city, but unfortunately the city was one filled with very wicked people.  We should never be more influenced by what looks good than we are by what God would have us do.  Verse thirteen states, But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.  As just stated, the people of Sodom were wicked and sinners before God.  Though we may often be sent by God to live among sinners, we are not told that this was the case with Lot.  I believe he was there more out of fascination with the city than with bringing God's word to the people there.  We must make certain that if we find ourselves in a place filled with sin that we are there because God sent us there and not because we are fascinated by the sin.  Verse fourteen declares, 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:  God was directing Abram in his choice of the land after Abram separated from Lot.  Personally, I believe that this was when Abram really did what God instructed him to do and left all his kinsman.  Verse fifteen says, For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.  God promised to give Abram and his descendants all the land he could see forever.  God promises us a land we cannot see, a heavenly home,  forever as well.  Verse sixteen adds, And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.  This is still part of God's promise to Abram.  God again promised to make Abram the father of a great nation.  Since Sarai and Abram had no children at this time, and even Lot who may have been viewed as almost a son was gone, Abram may have wondered how this was going to happen.  We should never look at our situation to determine what we can do, but we must always look to God's promises.  When we truly put our faith in God, we can do anything He calls us to do.  Verse seventeen continues, Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.  Abram was told to take some action, to walk the land.  When God calls us to do something today, He expects us to take action.  Verse eighteen states, Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.  Abram moved his tent to the plain of Mamre, in Hebron.  There, he built another altar to God.  Abram never left his worship of God behind him, and neither should we.  We must keep our relationship with God first, wherever we are.