I open the Bible to read the book of Genesis the 19th chapter, and the title of the chapter is ‘God rescues Lot’. After previously following through the story of Abraham, His separation with Lot because of the abundance of their possessions since the land could not support both of them dwelling together and Lot choosing for himself the Jordan valley and journeying east, I finally got to this chapter. Of course, a number of significant events take place from their separation (Gen 13) to this point. However, this very chapter left in a state of me meditating and reflecting on my life. I find the story of Lot and his family so relevant in this particular age and time.
So, it is evening when two angels come to Sodom and at this time Lot was sitting at the city gate, when he sees them, he goes to meet them and bows down with his face to the ground in respect. He urges them to enter his house where he prepares a feast for them. Before they lay down to sleep, the men of the city, both young and old surround the house and they call out to Lot seeking for the angels so that they may know them intimately. Lot offers them his daughters instead but they become aggressive trying to force their way into the house. This leads to them being struck with blindness by the angels. The flow of events clearly portrays how corrupt the people of Sodom were at that time. This is just a depiction of our society today.
The angels tell Lot that they had come to destroy the city because the outcry for judgement against them had grown so great before God that He sent them to destroy and ruin it. When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry and take his wife and two daughters out of the city. But Lot hesitates and lingers, isn’t this what most of us do often? When we receive an instruction from God, we tend to take our time and weigh the situation before making a decision. Look at what the angels do, they take Lots hand together with his wife’s and daughter’s because of God’s mercy and bring them outside the city. Isn’t God so amazing? because of His love and mercy He delivers us from situations we cannot get out by ourselves. Situations that would destroy us.
It is verse 17 of this chapter that really spoke to my heart. I’ll quote: “when they had brought them outside, one of the angels said, ‘escape for your life! Do not look behind you, or stop anywhere in the entire valley; escape to the mountains of Moab, or you will be consumed and swept away’”. This is what God tells us when He delivers us and sets us free. We have been freed from behaviors, characters, debts, sickness and disease, people, addictions and all manner of bondage by the transforming power of God. Let us never forget where we’ve been brought from by our loving heavenly Father (Gal 5:1). Sometimes the devil will try to whisper into our ears concerning our past addictions or lifestyles. He may use people to try and convince us to return to our old ways and habits. Always remember this (1 Peter 5:8-9) and stay alert. (Gen 19:26) Lot’s wife looked back toward Sodom and she became a pillar of salt. I see this as a place of death, for us spiritual death or even worse physical. You never go back to a previous state and remain the same in fact you become worse. Remember the story of the spirit in (Matt 12:45).
Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Post a Comment