Verse
of the day: Genesis 19:30 Then Lot
went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with
him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in
a cave.
Over
and over again we see God’s grace working in Lot’s life. Yet, over and over
again we see Lot trying to haggle with God and trying to do things his way. How
many of us continually haggle with God, always trying to get things done our
way? Sadly, we rob ourselves of many blessings, and put ourselves in positions
that could be avoided if we just obeyed God and took Him at His Word. In verse 17
Lot is urged to escape to the mountains because the angels cannot destroy Sodom
and Gomorra until Lot and his family have gone. Instead of going he insists on
going to Zoar (v. 18-20), which was not far from Sodom. Proverbs 21:2 tells us
that we (men/woman) do what is right in our own eyes. From the very beginning
man has been doing so. Adam and Eve tried to make coverings for themselves, but
the only ones that were right for them, or good enough, were the ones God made
for them (Gen 3:7; 3:21). Here, God is providing a way of escape for the
judgment that is about to fall upon Sodom and Gomorra, but Lot insists on
coming up with his own way of escape. Man has not changed since that time. God
has provided a Way of escape for the coming judgment, and man still insists on
trying to make his/her own way. Jesus said in John 14:6 that He is the Way, the
Truth, the Life, and no one come to the Father, but by Him. Yet, people still
insist on trying to make religion and rituals the way. Sadly, many will find
out, much too late, that God will not accept man’s way of salvation, for man’s
way is the way of eternal condemnation. We see that here God allowed Lot, by
way of the angels, to have his own way. He and his daughters, for his wife did
not survive because of her love for the things of this world, escaped to Zoar,
which was so close to Sodom that it appears that he was able to see the
destruction of that wicked place. The sight apparently created such great fear
that he ultimately chose God’s way of escape rather than his own. Today, we
have many who still refuse God’s way, and some that even mock Jesus, and His
way of salvation. How eye opening would it be for those who insist on their own
way if God would only allow them to see what is taking place in Hell this very
moment? How would that change our view of witnessing and sharing Jesus with
friends, family, and those we encounter each day if God gave us a glimpse of
the suffering that is taking place, this very moment, just beneath our feet?
What if we could see a family member, friend, or loved one that has gone on
without Christ, and what he/she is suffering this very moment? Would that
change our mind about continually haggling with God, and insisting on our way?
How many opportunities have we missed to lead someone to Christ because we have
insisted on serving God in our own way, because maybe we did not want to be
inconvenienced by doing things His way? The rich man in Luke 16 had a change of
perspective as he opened his eyes in Hell. He desperately wanted Lazarus, who
was in Paradise, in Abraham’s bosom, to go and tell his five brothers about
Hell so that they would not end up there themselves. Let us not be like Lot.
Let us stop pushing against God’s will and plan for our lives; for when we do,
not only is our life and eternal rewards affected, but the eternal destination
of those around us can be greatly affected as well. God has provided a Way of
escape from the coming judgment, and that Way is Jesus. Let us live our lives,
and serve our God, according to His direction, and not our own way. We must
live our lives by what Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge
Him, And He shall direct your paths.
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