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Scripture for the day: Genesis 19:15-16 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out.
Thought for the day: I’m not going to go into a lot of the background of who Lot was and how he got to Sodom in the first place; you can read Genesis at least as well as I. Suffice it to say Lot was in these dire circumstances because of choices he’d made. Abraham had given him first choice of the land when their flocks needed to separate and Lot had made his choice based on what he saw and not on what God may have wanted. He chose to move close to the center of sinful living in his country. He’d not been there long when we read that he was now living in the midst of the sin. Finally, we see him “sitting in the gate of the city.” In those days that almost certainly meant he’d become a respected member of the community.
There must have been something of righteousness left in Lot for the Lord warned him to flee the city, to leave the wickedness that surrounded him and threatened to swallow him up along with all those he cared so much about. But Lot procrastinated; he lingered where he had no business being in the first place. How strong must the pull of that sinful place have been for him and his family! Look at what the Bible says about poor Lot.
He lingered where sin existed – Chapter 18:20 “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave.” God wasn’t asking Lot to leave the earth; just to flee the sin that threatened to destroy him.
He lingered after the angels had warned him – 19:1ff. There could be no doubt about the purpose of these two destroying angels. They did nothing to disguise their intentions; rather they spoke clearly to Lot about what was to happen.
He lingered after judgment had been pronounced – 19:13. Again, he couldn’t possibly misunderstand the meaning of the angel’s words. How much clearer can one be than to say: “We will destroy this place…for the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”
He lingered when time was short – 19:15. Lot and his family spent the night in the city, knowing full well that the Lord intended to destroy it first thing in the morning. Now, let me ask you something; if you knew beyond a doubt that the town in which you now live was about to be destroyed by a tornado, a hurricane, or some other disaster, would you stay until the last minute or would you pack up and leave on the next bus? Be honest now. Let’s assume there’s no one there for you to go back and rescue, everything you own is already packed, and your entire family is with you in the house. Would you stay to enjoy ‘just one more night,’ or would you go?
But why did Lot stay, knowing everything he knew about what was coming? I think there were several reasons.
He stayed because of his previous wrong choices. He’d made the wrong choice in settling down so close to the sin in the first place.
He stayed because he loved the honor he had in the city. In other words, he loved the applause of men more than the applause of heaven.
He stayed because his family was prominent in the best social circles in the city.
He stayed because his wife was reluctant to leave her established home and relationships.
He stayed because his in-laws mocked him – 19:14.
He stayed because he couldn’t believe things would actually change. I think he bought the same lie Eve and Adam swallowed back in the Garden – “Surely God didn’t say…”
And he stayed because his heart was set on Sodom. That’s where his treasure was; that’s where his heart was. That’s where he had the greatest investment of time, money and emotion. The break was nearly too much to accept.
And what did it cost Lot to hesitate in the face of God’s warnings and the destruction he knew was coming? Everything he’d put so much stock in was destroyed. The wealth he loved so much was wiped away in a flash of fire and brimstone. He lost his wife and his daughters lives were ruined.
So what? What does that have to do with you and me? Is there some sin God has warned you to flee? Oh, He may not be asking you to leave the town in which you live, but is there some sin you’ve been camped too close to? Is there some temptation you’ve been flirting with? Is there destruction on the horizon because of the depth of sin around (or in) you? Please! Don’t procrastinate another moment. Don’t wait until the damage has been done. Heed the warning of the Holy Spirit and flee for your spiritual life – today.
Now go take on your world. - Bill