Tag: Genesis 19:26
Week 15–Day 1–Urgent but lingering!
Scripture reading for April 6: Genesis 19:14-17 “So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting. As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.”
First responders are always conscious of time. When the call comes for someone in urgent need, we are aware that time is of the essence. Several months ago, our department received a call of a terrible wreck with overturned vehicle, entrapment, and vehicle fire with possible casualties. I was only five miles from the scene and quickly sped to the station, meeting two other responders there as well. Praying as we headed out, we knew we needed God’s help and wise use of our time. It was certainly not a time to linger!
In the story from today’s Scripture, God had sent angels to warn Lot of coming judgment by fire on the city where he lived. It was urgent that Lot gather his family and get out quickly. Lot went to his sons-in-law and urged them to leave. They thought he was joking and did not move. Lot waited until morning and the angels urged him to take his wife and two daughters and leave quickly. The tragedy is that Lot lingered in spite of the warning of imminent danger. God, in His amazing mercy, had the angels grab Lot and his daughter’s hands and physically brought them out of the city. As they headed out, fire and brimstone was falling on the city. Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt! Genesis 19:26.
This story stands as a warning to all believers to heed God’s warnings immediately. We must maintain a sense of urgency to save our lives and that of our family. Timely response indicates faith which pleases God. Lingering indicates unbelief which is a sin leading to death.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the warning of Scripture concerning our need for timely action on Your Word. Help us as responders to act in a timely manner and also to warn those in danger of their need to escape before it’s too late. Amen.
Remember Lot’s wife
Scripture reading for March 25th: Luke 17
Key Scriptures: Luke 17:28-32 “Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot–they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all-–so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.”
The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was going to come. Jesus responded that the coming kingdom was not visible, but would be an inside job, within each person. He then proceeded to instruct His disciples on the time when the kingdom of God would be revealed. He likened it to the days of Noah, when all mankind, except for Noah and his family, would be going about their normal lives and then suddenly the flood came and swept them all away. He then used Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah as another example of His sudden return and the destruction of the wicked and the saving of Lot and his family. Lot’s wife, however, looked back at the burning city, ignoring God’s instructions. She was turned into a pillar of salt in judgment on her lack of steadfast faith with her heart still in Sodom.
Genesis 19:15-17, 26 “As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside of the city. And as they brought them out, one said, ‘Escape with your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills lest you be swept away.” . . . “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, Your Word is truth and life to those who will hear. Help me to remember the lessons You taught about perseverance and faith. Thank You for Your mercy for me and the lost of this world.
Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept My Word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.”