Yesterday we looked at the decision that Lot made, which was based on sight / his own understanding instead of walking in faith, trusting the Lord.  Today I want to dig into what happened to Lot after that decision, to see how it applies to each of us.

Specifically, after Lot had chosen his land, he moved his family, servants, and all their posessions near the town of Sodom (known for its wickedness), but made his home outside it’s walls.  Genesis 13:12-13 – “¹²Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. ¹³Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.”

The next we hear of Lot is when Sodom is being attacked by outside invaders.  At this point it is said that he was taken, along with everything he had, making specific mention that at this point he was dwelling in Sodom, no longer outside.  Genesis 14:11-12 – “¹¹So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. ¹²They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.”

Abraham hears of Lot’s capture, goes out and rescues him and returns him to his lands.  The next we see of Lot, is when God has come to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their unceasing wickedness, and Lot greets the Angels of the Lord at the city gate.  Genesis 19:1  “¹The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth.” This position of standing at the gate was an elected or appointed position.  Thus at this point in time, Lot was not only living amongst the wicked people of Sodom, he was actually settling in there, even having a position of some renown amongst it’s people.

I’m going to wrap up tomorrow, but hopefully from above we can see the picture God is giving us of the consequences of sin.  Sin is not static; a “small choice” away from God today, leads to another tomorrow, and so on, which leads to our heart hardening and rationalizing it to ourselves, which leads to separation from God, which is leads to death.  But we have been made alive with Christ, therefore, be encouraged and renewed to draw strength from him, knowing that He has overcome the world.  We are always in motion – either moving towards or away from God.  My question is what small choices are you making today?  Are they decisions that will grow you closer to the Lord, or are they putting you on a path away from Him?  Be sober-minded, what you begin today will bear fruit, either good or bad tomorrow.  This isn’t just a lesson about Lot’s bad decisions leading to painful consequences, we also know that our faithfulness to the Lord will bear joyful fruit for all eternity.

Galations 6:7-10 – ” ⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ⁸For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Be good to each other.  Encourage one another, that we would all continue to grow closer to God, where true joy is found.

Grace and Peace,
Adam