LOT & HIS WIFE
‘When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” Genesis 19:17
“But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26
Run From: How we think and talk
Have we taken a moment to thank God for the countless times He has protected us from “Sodom” temptation in looking back? Understanding this principle is crucial! I would like you to start by reflecting honestly on how we communicate.
- Do we communicate our yearning for or reminisce about our past “Sodom” experiences, clinging to the notion of them as our “good old days?”
- Do we communicate our focus on God’s incredible promises, share our testimonies, acknowledge His faithfulness, get excited when He encounters us, and express our gratitude for His perfect timing? Let’s recall those moments when God opened doors for us to have these conversations with others.
Be cautious about the topics you discuss with others. There’s a distinction between sharing your testimony and dwelling on the past. I encourage you to reflect on your heart after each conversation to determine whether your words are rooted in the Word of God or influenced by worldly perspectives. Adopting this approach will strengthen us to persevere and achieve greatness! That’s a narrative worth sharing!
Discussing our past in a vague context without a clear purpose can be quite risky and foolish. Such aimless chatter is exactly what the enemy thrives on, as it provides him with opportunities to sow doubt in our beliefs, commitments, and even our healing journey. Certainly, Lot’s wife must have made significant choices before she ultimately decided to look back. Yet, the focus should be on how she/we finished, not just how we began. Instead of rationalizing her one critical moment, let’s learn from it.
This weekend a pastor said this quote, “The devil will wait 30 years for 1 moment to destroy our 30 years.”
Run From: Complacent and lose sight of our Purpose
Proverbs 1:32, “For simpletons turn away from me—to death.
Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.”
Often, we overlook the choices we make which can result in a sense of complacency along our path. This complacency can hinder our development, creating a perilous situation, particularly if we end up stuck in our own version of “Sodom.” Here are some question to ponder:
- Where do we find ourselves questioning God’s guidance?
- In what areas are we permitting small “Sodom” to seem acceptable?
- Are we steering the course, or is He the one steering?
- What desires distract us and draw our gaze away from Him?
The story of Lot’s wife serves as an important reminder of how complacency can lead us to lose sight of our true purpose. Our purpose is to be “Clean” so God can use me!” If we allow ourselves to be distracted, even by minor things, we risk missing out on what we are meant to achieve as she did. I urge you to realign and position yourself for His mission. It’s essential to identify what occupies your thoughts daily; failing to do so stunt your spiritual growth.
Song of Solomon 2:15 states, “..the little foxes that spoil the vine, for our vines have tender grapes.” It’s the small things that matter.
Philippians 3:14-15, ” I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you.”
Run From: Indecisiveness
In our most difficult times, it can be hard to feel His presence. However, when we take a moment to reflect, we often discover that God has been with us every step of the way. His timing is perfect. ” ….Yet God made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” ( Eccl. 3:1-11)
Our hesitation to progress frequently arises from the tempting allure of earthly delights. This becomes clear when we encounter pressing choices, as our responses often expose our underlying uncertainties. The scripture remind us in verse 16, “When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.”
Lot’s indecisiveness had a profound impact on his family, causing his wife to question the very beliefs they once held dear. It’s essential to identify the familiar spirits in our lives, as hesitation often bears negative consequences. If we take a moment for introspection, we should ask ourselves: “What is the root of our hesitation?” This question is vital. It can impede our personal growth, lead us to overlook opportunities, where our obedience lies, amplify our doubts, and can sometimes create confusion. Ultimately, it ensnares us in a cycle of turmoil. This uncertainty can than affect our spouse and children, putting our legacy at risk. As highlighted in James 1:6, “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”
Run From: What causes you to look back?
What prompted Lot’s wife to glance back? this question leads me to ponder: What drive me to revisit my own history? Reflecting on past experiences can provide meaningful insight, but if we linger there too long, it can impede our growth in the present. I truly believe there are appropriate times and places to reminisce about the past, but it’s essential to do so in a safe environment where the Holy Spirit is welcomed to prevent triggering unresolved feelings.
In the biblical narrative, they were cautioned against looking back, yet she made that choice. This serves as an important reminder of the consequences that can arise from ignoring divine guidance. These consequences may not always manifest as physical demise, but they can certainly lead to a spiritual decline. What fuels your urge to look back? Is it a desire or a joyful memory? A wish to share your story? Or is there something unresolved that you haven’t fully confronted?
These inquiries are crucial because, as we reflect, we may yearn for the significant moment that has influenced our current path. Which aspects of your past do you see as, “God redeemed,” yet still find yourself nostalgically recalling your “old Sodom” with a sense of pride, perhaps without even realizing it? It’s important to distinguish between looking back and sharing your narrative without being bound to those experiences. Have we truly moved on from those chapters in our lives? Are they genuinely forgotten? Or is there still healing to be done, especially since this is a story we often revisit in different seasons of our lives?
RUN TOO JESUS
What we often overlook is that Jesus is for us not against us! He also inspires fellow believers to pray for our shackles to be removed, our eyes to see, and to be completely delivered. How frequently do we lose sight of the fact that Jesus communicates with the Father on our behalf? These scriptures remind us of this truth.
- Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:34
- “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.” 1 John 2:1
- “Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save[a] those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” Hebrew 7:25
Take a moment to reflect:
- In which aspects of your life is the Holy Spirit actively trying to steer you clear of peril? Are you holding back or are you choosing to let go?
- Have you noticed how the prevailing culture’s desires, attitudes, and indifference influencing your life.
- Have you permitted the Holy Spirit to sanctify your existence? This involves being set apart, committing yourself entirely, relinquishing control, rejecting fear, and embracing devotion.
- Are you cultivating a deeper affection for Jesus, nurturing a childlike faith and trust, and being obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
Stay alert and avoid becoming too comfortable with your successes, as the Holy Spirit is continually inviting us to draw near to Him: step by step, moment by moment, day by day. As we move forward, we should seek His guidance to remove any obstacles that cause us to hesitate or distract us. While Christ can pave the way ahead, the decision to embrace that path or delay it rest with us. Why is this important? When we find certain sins easy to accept, we start to rationalize them. We might think, “This won’t lead to serious consequences, so I can just ignore it and keep going.” In doing so, we unwittingly hand the enemy a key to our hearts, making the temptation to look back seem harmless.
Embracing progress demands certain traits: owning our choices, gaining wisdom from our errors, cultivating resilience, daring to take fresh risks, recognizing that setbacks are integral to growth, welcoming feedback, and having the courage to rise, brush ourselves off, and continue our journey together!
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