A Lot Like Lot

Posted on May 6, 2015 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

A Lot Like Lot

“But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him.”                                                                                                                            2 Peter 2:7 (NLT)

It probably wasn’t a good idea anyway, but who knew? It starts back in Genesis 13:10, “Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)” Now between Abram and Lot it was really all about farm animals and grass but I guess their herdsmen couldn’t figure out a way to make it work so Abram and Lot parted company, it was decided like this, “So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain.” (Genesis 13:12) but ended up like this, “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)

This is one of those Old Testament stories that can be very relevant in the 21^st century. Abram was a righteous man, so much so that YHVH roots a nation in him but there’s this nephew, Lot, that is under Abram’s canopy. It would seem that Abram is Lot’s kinsmen redeemer but Lot really doesn’t get the righteous stuff down does he? I mean Lot is with Abram right from the beginning when it is time to “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.” Surely Abram would have let Lot in on this being a command from YHVH but I am not too sure if Lot gets it. From what I can gather is that Lot gets himself into some pretty sticky situations and needs lotsa savin’, doesn’t he?

How many of us have a Lot in our lives, better still how many of us could say we are a lot like Lot? We ain’t livin’ in a world that once had the actual beauty that The Garden had (we lost that with Adam). Don’t get me wrong, we got some places that have that certain allure to them but their plastic and hollow, and then we get kinda sucked into it. Without seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can find ourselves just as stuck as Lot did in Sodom. All his worldly marbles had been invested in this dung heap and it certainly didn’t look like Lot sought any advice from YHVH. That can be us too…knee deep in debt, can’t make waves at work for a raise in fear of losing the job, kids just won’t see the light of The Gospel, wife may have gotten herself preoccupied with the hardship of life’s circumstances or maybe as a man you just ain’t where you thought you would be at your age.

There are some ugly truths that need to be shared with you that comes from Lot’s life. Ya see when we have the righteous of Christ imputed to us we need to not take these truths for granted. One…making a selfish choice like Lot choosing the Jordan valley. Two…the effect of living in a wicked environment like Lot moving into Sodom. Three…surrendering your children to the wickedness of this world, like Lot did (I would have belted him in the chops for doing this) and finally knowing that YHVH is the only true judge of a man’s heart and does the saving of his soul. Lot lost sight of this when he left the company of Abram and it happens to us when we part ways with those we fellowship with.

In the long run it is always gonna be about having the fear of The LORD. Abram knew it up close and personal because of his encounter with YHVH. Lot didn’t have that but he also didn’t look for it in Abram.  Following Abram was a familiar thing to do but when it got crowded it was time for Lot to set out on his own BUT he should have sought YHVH’s favor for himself. Like us, we can hang around the righteous and receive benefit from it but in the longer run we need to work out our own salvation with a healthy fear of The LORD and trembling, purpose in your heart today not to pitch a tent near a 21^st century Sodom and realize that this is for me as well. I received the same warning when it came time for ungodly living to come to an end…GET OUT or you will be swept away. Praise God for the right choice. AMEN? – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and blogs weekly. You can email him at cphughes515@verizon.net

Today’s Bible Reading: Numbers 23-25; Matthew 1

Think About This: “As believers we are assured that no matter how dark it becomes around us, God will faithfully provide the illumination of His Spirit. God’s Word is a light that shines in a dark place until the morning star rises in our hearts. “—A. W. Tozer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Proverbs 28:6 ESV