In Genesis 12, God tells Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a new place. At the time, it didn't make a lot of sense to Abraham because he was comfortable where he was. He had family and friends, and he was familiar with the land. Abraham could have easily chosen to stay right where he was, but he knew that if he would step out of his comfort zone, God would give him something better.
Abraham and his family, along with his nephew Lot and Lot's entire family, packed up and headed out into the unknown. As time went on, they experienced so much increase in their livestock that the land couldn't support both families, so Lot and Abraham agreed to part ways.
Abraham offered Lot the opportunity to choose which land he wanted to settle on. He said to Lot, "You choose first, and I'll take whatever is left." Lot looked out as far as he could see in both directions and chose the best part of the land, the plain of Jordan. Scripture describes it as a well-watered garden, so beautiful and lush. When Abraham looked in the other direction, it wasn't a well-watered garden; it looked more like the desert. It didn't look very appealing—there were few trees and little grass. It would have been easy for Abraham to think, Man, I got the short end of this deal. God, where is the favor You showed me in the past? I'm the one who had the assignment. Why is this happening? "If only" I would have chosen first!
Have you ever felt that way? Have you found yourself thinking, God, I'm doing everything right. I'm following Your voice; I'm obeying Your commands, yet I'm the one missing out. Oftentimes, the very thing you think is working against you is really going to work out for you. However, it's up to you to release preconceived ideas and trust that God is ordering your steps.
If you have been going through some changes in your life that you don't understand, or if it looks like you don't have the favor you once had in a certain area, God may be stirring you out of the old so He can bring you into something new and better. It's not always comfortable, and it may not be the easiest way. Sometimes it may look like you missed out, but if you will embrace the future and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, then God can open the right doors for you.
Abraham never complained or criticized Lot for taking the best part of the land. He didn't try to bargain with him. He didn't question God; he just trusted. Right after all this took place, the Lord said to Abraham in Genesis 13:14–15, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever." What an amazing promise! Abraham stepped out, and of course, God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, and He will fulfill His promise to you!
"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." (Proverbs 16:9, NLT).