Where do you Pitch Your Tent?
by the Watchman Dana G Smith
Genesis 13:18 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.
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Abram later became Abraham as most people know today. He came out of Ur of The Chaldee’s and Abram sought a city that had foundations, but not just any such stalwart underpinnings. He sought foundations that had been built by God, the True God, who was the maker of such city. This was that which Abram sought.
Moreover the proclivities of youth or the ‘natural inclinations’ of a young person is such that in finding a place of rest and encampment, Lot chose to dwell in the ‘cities of the plain’ and pitched his tent toward Sodom. Now the plains there in Jordan was well watered, scripture says as the “Garden of the LORD”. It was not an unusual choice since it was so well fed with water and the resulting fauna was as the “Lords Garden” as well. It also says Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. Sodom being a city, probably with much to do, activity, and such became the attraction for many including Lot. Abram on the other hand went into the Plain of ‘Mamre’ which was in Hebron. Now it is clear from the Word on this matter that the men of Sodom were sinners exceedingly {Gen 13:13}. Lot may not of known this, but this became the scene of the LORDS judgment upon such debauchery and Lot was delivered, even though he pitched his tent towards Sodom. Later, however, scripture says Lot Dwelt in Sodom.
Genesis 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Genesis 14:12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
Abram, as said afore, dwelt in the ‘plains of Mamre’ which interpreted means “strength or fatness” {Gen 13:18}. Now these plains of ‘Mamre’ were in Hebron, which interpreted means “association”. It is in this place we find Abram putting up an altar to the LORD. Now in Abram’s time, such an altar was a raised place where sacrifice was made to the LORD. It was a place for communion with God, howbeit, Abram also spoke to the LORD face to face as in the case when the LORD spoke directly to Abram on what he was going to do to Sodom and Gomorrah. We find that Abram abode, dwelt, or inhabited this place where it came to be an ‘abiding place’ of strength and fatness in the LORD. Hebron was the place where this abode was, thus we find an association for Abram. Here he found an association with the LORD God, through Sacrifice and communion with Yahweh, the LORD God. Abram gathered strength, blessings, honor, and got all he needed from the LORD.
Lot on the other hand saw wickedness and evil from the going’s on in Sodom and Gomorrah. Yes, he was delivered from the place primarily because of the intercession of Abram, but he was vexed from day to day as a result of all the evil things he saw and beheld. When leaving Sodom, even Lots wife turned to Salt because she disobeyed and looked back, even after being sternly warned not to do so. Sin is like that, many today look back at the lifestyles and sin going on, almost with envy. If you look back, the LORD said this:
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
It is here we need to take heed along with the question, “where do you pitch your tent?” Is it in that place of ‘strength or fatness’ where dwelling here brings your association with and close to the LORD? Although we do not sacrifice upon altars of stone or mounds as Abram did, we have such an sacrifice to give. It is from the heart and unto the LORD. We are to offer up spiritual sacrifices, which are acceptable unto God by Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
What are these spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable? Peter goes on in the First epistle to describe his message at the time. But in the context of this verse, we are a chosen generation and a royal priesthood. That is a holy nation, a peculiar people. We are to show forth his praises, just as he called us out of and delivered us from darkness into His marvelous light. We have obtained mercy,and are a people of God, and as a result we are to be strangers and pilgrims on the earth. The sacrifices are as described is to “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.”
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
In the Faith chapter in Hebrews 11, it says of these who died in faith did not receive the promises, but they did see them, embrace them, and then said that they ‘were strangers and pilgrims of the earth.’ They compared themselves to Abraham who sought such a country and a city whose builder and maker was God. They sought a better place, a heavenly one, where God would not be ashamed to be their God, and also where the LORD had built for them a city. It is a people that was in the world but not of it. Believers who saw the promise of the Messiah to come, believed God and as Abram were justified.
Furthermore, it says to us today, that the times to come are going to be tough. Many believers will face these as the most difficult events they have ever witnessed or have come against them. There will be death, droughts, famines, tribulation, anguish, and much more. But there will also be deliverance, faith, miracles, and the coming of the Messiah Jesus [Y'shua Ha Massiach] Christ to this earth. It will occur because the Followers of the LORD will walk in Him. Yes, there will be those who belong to the Harlot church, but the LORD will have a people and they will walk in victory, even though they may appear to be persecuted and go through trials as never before.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
There is no doubt today, we need to embrace the promises and walk in Christ. We need to all ‘pitch our tents’ in that place of an abiding presence of the LORD. We must walk in Him, be in Him, and trust that no matter what comes our way, even to the point of death, we will overcome. Let us, therefore, embrace the promises. Let us pursue the faith and the testimony of Jesus Christ, keeping it alive in Christ unto the end thereof. We who live in ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ like cities, nations, and countries need to find that place of refuge in God, through Christ Jesus. Coming out of the world, refusing to pitch our tents in wickedness, throwing off the Lusts of the flesh.
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
In short, while the wickedness may vex or trouble our souls, we can be victorious in the LORD, full of his peace, as we abide in Him. We do this just as Abram did. Let us find ‘Strength and Fatness’ on our own plains of Mamre. Let us bring ourselves unto the LORD God, associating or uniting with him and his grace so that we may overcome. We do this by faith as we go through our own sacrifice and brokenness at the altar of the LORD. This altar is in your own private room, closet, or anywhere you may find time.
When you pray:
Matthew 6:5 ¶And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 ¶After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
We overcome by:
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Originally posted 2009-02-12 13:49:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter