In Genesis 13, Abraham leaves Egypt very rich and returns to the location of his altar at Bethel and Hai. This time, Abram calls on the Lord. Lot joins him, but Abram's nephew does not have the same heart of belief.
Soon after, there is conflict between the herdsman of the uncle and nephew, and Abram is extremely gracious to Lot. He offers His nephew the choice between two very different grazing lands, and Lot (showing no gratitude or respect) takes the better of the two. His heart becomes evident as he chooses not to maintain a distance from the wicked population of the cities in the plain of Zoar, but rather dwells among them and pitches His tent toward Sodom.
Again we see that Abram is a good man. He gives another man the best land with a heart of good will. Shortly after he and Lot separate, the Lord speaks to Abram again and says, (vs14) "Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever." God also tells Abram to walk through the promised land, and to view it, and to be assured that it will be his. After God finishes speaking, Abram actions show a heart of belief, because he "removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and there built an altar unto the Lord." He saw God's promise and worshiped. Throughout Abram's journey to transforming his heart, He is so very gracious to continue to affirm to Abram over time, that He is the true God and what He says is true. Does He not do the same for us, not only before the time of our salvation, but also afterwards as His work of sanctification transforms us more into the image of Christ?
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