Genesis 13:1-18

Unstuck
(Genesis 13:1-18)

Sometimes in life, we encounter moments where we feel completely stuck—bereft of motivation, disconnected from our community, and unmoved by experiences that once stirred our hearts. In these instances, we can often find ourselves wondering, how can we get unstuck? How do we rekindle the spark that once fueled our passion and faith? How do we restore our spiritual connection and regain the joy of salvation?

King David was a man well-acquainted with the feeling of spiritual isolation. In Psalm 51:1-12, his plea, “restore to me the joy of your salvation,” resonates with anyone who has ever felt alone, disconnected, and bereft of faith. The question is: how did David get to this point? Like many of us, it probably happened gradually. David certainly didn’t intentionally set out to commit adultery and murder. No one intentionally sets out to ruin their relationship with God, to lose faith, and yet, it happens again and again.

In Revelation 2:1-7, it’s revealed that the Ephesian church, much like David, lost their “first love.” The loss of this fervent love for God did not happen suddenly; it’s often a slow drift that begins innocently. You may find yourself reading less of the Bible, praying less frequently, becoming restless, and gradually focusing more on worldly matters. Soon, prayers seem pointless, church services feel hollow, and the figure of Christ begins to fade in significance.

The question then becomes, how do we return to that initial zeal? How do we get back on track? How do we reignite the flame of faith that seems to have been extinguished? To answer these questions, we turn to Genesis 13:1-18.

When you feel stuck…
Genesis 13:1

Genesis 13:1 recounts a significant moment in the journey of Abram, known later as Abraham: “So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.”

In this seemingly simple statement lies a profound depiction of a man who may have felt very much stuck. To fully comprehend the weight of this situation, it is essential to consider Abram’s previous journey into Egypt as described in Genesis 12:10-20. Famine drove Abram and his family to Egypt, where fear led him to deceive the Pharaoh about the nature of his relationship with Sarai, his wife. The Egyptian sojourn was not Abram’s finest hour. He strayed from the path of faith and integrity, and there were no altars built to God, no moments of deep communion with the divine.

Now, in Genesis 13:1, we find Abram retracing his steps, leaving Egypt and heading back to the Negeb. It’s akin to being back at square one, right where he started. This step is pivotal, and yet it may have felt like a regression, a step back. It seems as though Abram is stuck in an endless loop, continuously wandering but never truly moving forward, only to return to where he started.

This period of Abram’s life underscores a feeling that many of us can relate to. That sense of being stuck, of feeling like we are just treading water or even regressing, is a universal human experience. It often feels as though we’re returning to the same problems, the same doubts, the same failures. However, it’s crucial to remember that these moments, just like Abram’s return to the Negeb, can be the starting point of a profound journey of faith and renewal. Abram’s story serves as a reminder that even when we feel stuck, we are still on

Go back to the Word
Genesis 13:2-4

Genesis 13:2-4 continues the narrative of Abram’s journey, giving us insight into his approach to finding direction when feeling stuck: “Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the LORD.”

Notice that in this moment, Abram doesn’t just wander aimlessly. He travels specifically to Bethel, the place where his journey with God first began, the site of his initial spiritual encounter as detailed in Genesis 12:1-9. There, he returns not just physically, but spiritually—calling on the name of the LORD, reconnecting with his divine directive, and rekindling his faith at the altar he had built. Abram’s journey is more than just a physical move; it is a spiritual reorientation that brings him back to the fundamental source of his faith and purpose—the Word of God. It is a conscious act of realigning his life with God’s directions and promises and of grounding himself once again in his divine calling. This is the crux of Abram’s action that we ought to emulate: in times of disorientation or disillusionment, return to God’s Word.

This principle is echoed in the New Testament. The exhortation in Hebrews 2:1-4 is crystal clear: we must pay careful attention to what we have heard, to the Word, lest we find ourselves drifting. Similarly, Acts 2:42 depicts the early believers’ steadfast devotion to the apostles’ teaching, an embodiment of their commitment to continuously returning to the Word of God.

So, just as Abram journeyed back to Bethel and reconnected with God through prayer at the altar, we too, when feeling stuck or lost, must make our journey back to the Word of God. The teachings, promises, and wisdom found within scripture serve as our spiritual compass, our Bethel, guiding us through periods of stagnation or confusion and leading us towards the path of spiritual growth and fulfillment.

Go back to your walk
Genesis 13:5-13

Having returned to the Word of God, Abram is now seen returning to his previous walk of faith in contrast to his nephew, Lot. Genesis 13:5-13 illuminates the contrasting paths of Abram and Lot, a divergence driven by their respective spiritual choices. Amidst burgeoning wealth and ensuing strife due to insufficient land to sustain both their households, we witness two distinct approaches to resolution and contentment.

Abram, faced with the potential for conflict, takes a step that showcases his deep spiritual maturity. He tells Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.” This proposal manifests Abram’s trust in God’s provision and underlines his choice of peace over material possession.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that Abram’s orthodoxy led to his orthopraxy—his right belief led to his right behavior. Abram’s decision didn’t arise from self-generated wisdom and effort. It came from his return to Bethel—his return to the Word of God. Armed with divine wisdom, Abram actively lives his spiritual walk and embodies the later lessons of Paul in Philippians 4:4-13 and Galatians 5:16-24. He exhibits joy, peace, and contentment in his circumstances and demonstrates love, kindness, and self-control.

Contrarily, Lot’s choice, led by his eyes and worldly desires, signifies a pivot towards the flesh. He is enticed by the lush Jordan Valley, a choice that eventually leads him to Sodom, a city infamous for its wickedness. His decisions underscore the stark reminder in Romans 6:12-23 about the dangers of yielding to sin and worldly desires.

Go back to your worship
Genesis 13:14-18

Genesis 13:14-18 provides the final and perhaps most profound step in Abram’s journey from stagnation to rejuvenation—the return to worship. Following Lot’s departure, God reaffirms His divine promise to Abram, instructing him to look across the vast expanse of land that his descendants would inherit. This divine validation and reassurance instigate Abram’s next move.

Abram, drawing from the strength of God’s promise, resettles by the oaks of Mamre, known for symbolizing strength, at Hebron, a place representing communion. There, he constructed an altar to the Lord, mirroring the first altar he built when he initially followed God’s calling in Genesis 13:4. This physical act manifests Abram’s spiritual journey—his return to the Word, his reestablishment of his spiritual walk, and finally, his revival of worship.

His return to worship holds profound significance. Just as Abram’s spiritual journey with God began with an altar—the symbolic representation of worship and communion with God—it culminates at another altar, marking his restored commitment to worship God.

This spiritual narrative echoes the message of 1 John 1, where we’re reminded of the beauty and necessity of fellowship with God and with one another. Abram’s altar, constructed in a place representing communion, is a physical testament to the spiritual fellowship he has reestablished with God. It emphasizes that when we feel stuck, isolated, or distant, rekindling our relationship with God is the fundamental step towards reinvigoration.

In the spirit of this renewed fellowship with God, Abram’s actions resonate with the instructions in Colossians 3:16-24. Just as the believers are urged to allow Christ’s word to dwell in them richly, teaching and admonishing one another in wisdom, Abram allows God’s Word to refocus his life, creating a richer, more vibrant worship experience. He understands the value of “singing to God with gratitude in your hearts,” a fundamental part of unsticking oneself from spiritual stagnation.

Abram’s actions further reflect the exhortation in Hebrews 4:14-16 to boldly approach God’s throne of grace. By building an altar and worshipping God, he effectively approaches this divine throne, seeking mercy and finding grace to help in his time of need. This bold return to worship signifies a renewed confidence in God’s provision, love, and grace.

David, in his trials, sought strength in the Lord (2 Sam 16:1-14; 1 Sam 30:1-6) and used worship as a conduit for his spiritual rejuvenation (Psalms of David, e.g., Ps 13). Similarly, Abram finds his strength renewed and his communion with God restored, showcasing the power of worship.

So, remember: at the throne of grace, you are never truly stuck. You have His Word, His power, His altar. Worship Him here. In our moments of feeling stuck, it’s the journey back to God’s Word, reestablishing our spiritual walk, and reviving our worship that guide us to renewed strength, communion, and commitment to God. It is in this sacred triad—Word, Walk, and Worship—that we find our path to becoming unstuck.