In Genesis 13–14, we see Abraham stepping into this kind of counterintuitive faith. After failing in Egypt, he returns—not just geographically, but spiritually—to the place where he first trusted God. What follows is a renewed commitment to walk by faith, not sight. In contrast to his nephew Lot, who chooses the path of prosperity, Abraham chooses peace, humility, and sacrifice.
His story reminds us that when faith leads the way, our lives reflect a different set of values: God over gain, people over property, and mission over comfort.
And through it all, we see a glimpse of Christ—the One who left glory, pursued peace at great cost, and rescued the lost not because they deserved it, but because of love.
Abraham’s story isn’t just history. It’s a mirror. And today, we’re invited to live with that same counterintuitive, courageous, Christ-like faith.
1. Return to Faith and Let God Lead (Genesis 13:1-4)
After a failure in Egypt, Abraham retraced his steps, returning to Bethel, the place where God first spoke and where he first built an altar. For over 300 miles, he journeyed back through the wilderness, likely replaying his mistakes and recalling God’s promises.
At Bethel, Abraham called on the name of the Lord. What followed wasn’t just geography—it was revival. His return wasn’t about location; it was about spiritual reorientation. Before God could use Abraham again, He first revived Abraham’s heart.
This is where transformation begins. When we drift in fear or failure, the way back isn’t self-help—it’s surrender. Abraham didn’t build a better plan; he built an altar. He didn’t promise to do better; he remembered who God is.
We all need this kind of return. Like David in Psalm 51, we must ask God to restore the joy of our salvation. That’s how faith is renewed. Faithful living starts with faithful remembering.
The world says “trust yourself,” but Scripture tells us to trust God. Abraham began to live in the confidence that the land wasn’t his because of strategy—it was his because of God’s word. When your faith is rooted in God’s promises, you don’t have to fight for control. You can walk in peace.
True blessing doesn’t come through self-promotion or self-protection. It comes through faith in the God who calls, restores, and leads. So before you move forward, go back, back to the place of worship, of surrender, of first love. Let God lead from there.
2. Choose Faith Over Sight (Genesis 13:5-18)
Strife broke out. Abraham and Lot were both wealthy, and the land couldn’t sustain them together. Their herdsmen quarreled, and division felt inevitable. Abraham stood at another crossroads—but this time, he chose differently.
Instead of fighting, Abraham offered peace. “Let there be no strife between us… we are family.” He gave Lot the first pick of the land, even though it was Abraham’s right to choose. Lot saw the lush Jordan Valley and moved toward Sodom. It looked like Eden—but it led to destruction.
Abraham took what was left, the wilderness, the “lesser” land. But he had something better: faith in God. He didn’t need the best land because he served the best God. Lot lived by sight. Abraham lived by faith.
This is counterintuitive. The flesh says, “take what’s yours.” Faith says, “trust what God’s.” Abraham knew God was his portion, and that meant he didn’t need to grab for blessing—he could release and still receive.
Faith produced what the world cannot: an abundance mindset. Abraham believed God would provide, so he prioritized people over property. He pursued peace over prosperity. He trusted that Lot’s decision didn’t limit God’s promises.
God responded with affirmation. He reminded Abraham of the covenant, instructed him to look in every direction, and promised that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth. Abraham responded with worship, again building an altar.
When you live by faith, you gain the freedom to let go. You stop clinging to what you can see and start standing on what God has said. Faith doesn’t just help you believe in the future—it reshapes how you act in the present. Like Abraham, trust God, choose peace, and let Him handle the rest.
3. Pursue Peace Even When It Costs (Genesis 13:8-13)
Conflict doesn’t always reveal character, but how we respond to it does. Abraham could have fought for his rights. He could have demanded the best land. Instead, he sought peace.
“Let there be no strife between us,” he told Lot. That decision didn’t come from weakness—it came from strength rooted in faith. Abraham wasn’t worried about losing out. He knew he had everything he needed in God.
Lot, on the other hand, looked for advantage. He saw what looked good and took it, ignoring the spiritual cost. He moved near Sodom, a city already marked by wickedness. His decision was wise by the world’s standards, but foolish in God’s economy.
Faith leads us to make peace a priority. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Abraham lived that blessing. And so can we.
In your life, peace may cost you something—recognition, advantage, or the last word. But peace also protects what matters most: relationships, influence, and your witness.
Think of George Washington during the Whiskey Rebellion. He had the power to crush resistance, but he chose diplomacy. That choice preserved the union. Peace is powerful. It reveals your trust in a God who sees, provides, and vindicates.
Abraham’s decision to value peace over property shaped his legacy. He didn’t just keep his faith—he passed it on.
When you’re tempted to fight for “your place,” pause and ask: Is peace worth more than being right? Is the relationship more valuable than the reward?
Peacekeepers make a kingdom impact. They reflect the heart of Jesus, who made peace through the cross. So step back, surrender your rights, and trust that God honors those who honor Him.
4. Live Sacrificially When Your Identity Is in God (Genesis 14:1-16)
Lots’ choices came back to haunt him. When war broke out, he was caught in the chaos. The kings of the East sacked Sodom, took the people, including Lot, and plundered the land.
Abraham could have said, “He got what he deserved.” But faith doesn’t keep score—it takes risks. Abraham gathered 318 men and went after the invaders. At night, with strategy and courage, he rescued Lot and brought back all the stolen people and goods.
This is sacrificial faith. Abraham didn’t act out of obligation—he worked out of identity. He belonged to God, and that changed how he lived. Faith empowered him to risk comfort for the sake of others.
Lot chose selfishly. Abraham chose selflessly. That contrast reveals the gospel.
Jesus, too, left comfort to rescue us. He humbled Himself, endured the cross, and paid for our sins. Now, through Him, we’re free to live sacrificially.
When your faith is in Christ, you can:
- Serve without expecting in return—because God will supply.
- Forgive freely—because you’ve been forgiven.
- Choose integrity over popularity—because your identity isn’t tied to people’s praise.
- Give generously—because your treasure is eternal.
Abraham points us to Jesus, who gave everything to make us His. When your hope is rooted in that love, sacrifice becomes joy, not duty. You don’t have to be perfect. You have to trust.
So today, be bold. Live generously. Risk obedience. Lay down your rights. And when it’s hard, remember this: Jesus gave more for you.
Faith frees us to live not for ourselves, but for the One who saves. Like Abraham, let your faith lead you to rescue, redeem, and reflect the love of God.
Conclusion
Abraham’s journey in Genesis 13–14 teaches us that the life of faith is marked by daily decisions—some dramatic, many quiet—that shape our legacy. He didn’t always get it right. But after failure came return. After return came revival, and out of revival came a bold, generous, peace-seeking, sacrificial faith that honored God and blessed others.
You and I face similar crossroads. Will we trust God when it’s easier to control? Will we pursue peace when pride tempts us to fight? Will we serve others when no one’s watching?
This is the essence of faith: to live like the promises of God are more real than the pressures of the moment. To believe that the unseen reward outweighs the seen risk. To live not just with God’s name on our lips, but His character in our choices.
When your identity is rooted in faith, your life will begin to take on a different shape. You’ll return to God quickly. You’ll walk humbly. You’ll let go of what the world calls gain and pursue what heaven calls glory.
So today, return to the altar. Walk by faith, not by sight. And let your life, like Abraham’s, become a signpost pointing to the God who saves, the Christ who rescues, and the Spirit who empowers.
Let the world see that faith doesn’t shrink back. It steps forward. It sacrifices. And it never walks alone.
