Don't Look Back!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Genesis 18, 19; Psalm 13, 14

Psalm 14:2-3 (NIV)
2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Genesis 19:15-16 (NIV)
15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” 16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.

Good morning!

Have you ever hesitated to answer when you knew without a doubt that God was calling your name? Maybe you felt led to volunteer your time to raise funds for a special charity at work, but you didn’t do it because you thought it would take up too much of your time. Why not take your vacation time to repair homes for the elderly living in your community? Suppose your pastor calls you on the telephone one evening and asks if you would consider making a sizeable donation to the crisis care center sponsored by your church. Do you find it hard to fork over a portion of your paycheck for the benefit of someone you may not know? Do you ever stop to think how your decision might affect you before you raise your hand, speak out, volunteer, or place your gift in the offering plate?

I confess there have been times when I’ve been crowned the queen of hesitation. I’m ashamed to admit there were moments when I pulled away, took a second look, and chose to run and hide rather than jump at the chance to serve my Lord. God continues to cleanse and purify the motivation and desires of my heart. When the Father looks at me, will He find a pure and holy vessel that He can inhabit, or will He uncover an apathetic and sin sick soul? Will the Lord hear me praying for His will to become my own, or will He find me demanding to have my own way?

Life in a corrupt and toxic environment left Lot a pathetic witness for God. Lot knew better. The perverse culture he had grown accustomed in had left him spiritually bankrupt. Lot became complacent and comfortable, surrounded by a lifestyle of sin in the city of Sodom. Lot had compromised his belief system for so long that when he finally did take a stand for God, his own family didn’t pay him any attention. Lot’s wife and daughters found it hard to believe that God might destroy their beloved city. When the angels instructed Lot to take his family and run for their lives, Lot hesitated. Why would he stop to think when they were in imminent danger? Was it not obvious to him?

The angels took Lot by the hand and rushed his family to safety. God showed great mercy to Lot and his family, especially in light of their hesitation to be obedient. The prayers and petitions of Lot’s Uncle Abraham effected God’s offer of mercy and grace when Lot certainly did not deserve it. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife couldn’t resist looking back. What was she looking for? Could she not turn away from the sin of her past and focus on the future ahead? Scripture says that when Lot’s wife looked back, she became a pillar of salt.

We live in a world where wrong seems right and complacency thrives. Will you choose to follow God without hesitation? Will you answer when He calls your name?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the gumption to move forward in faith and not look back. Do not hesitate to take hold of God’s hand, and run with Him today.
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