Have you ever had to escape danger or had difficulties transitioning from one lifestyle to another?
Lot was told by an angel to immediately take his family and leave the city of Sodom and Gomorra before the judgment of God invaded that city. It was vital for him to quickly get out of that city before it was destroyed.
Sinners literally knocked at Lots door. He seen and experienced the boldness and corruption of sin trying to invade the privacy of his home, yet he hesitated and lingered to move away from such a sinful city. An Angel had to take his hand and force him and family to leave the city. Then Lot was given specific instructions, not to look back, but it was one in the bunch that could not resist, Lot’s wife, she looked back. Why? What makes one look back or return to dangerous situations?
The Hebrew meaning for “looked back” means more than to glance over one’s shoulder. It means “to regard, to consider, and to pay attention.”
There was something in that city that she had high regards and had fixated her heart and considered it was more important than the safety ahead. She knew destruction was behind them but she probably thought she had a chance to go back.
As Job and His friends debated why God took everything from him, his friend Elihu said these words, “For God’s eyes are on the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps. There is no darkness nor deep shadow Where the evildoers may hide themselves,” (Job 34:21-22).
In Lots situation the evildoer was bold and open, as we see today. The spirit and nature of sin, which Satan is the culprit, seeks those vulnerable to his authority. Yet, for those who are called accordance to God’s divine purpose, Satan has no authority.
In Jobs situation Satan asked God if he could invade Job’s life, and God gave him permission with the exception he could not touch his soul.
God sees ahead of our situations, as He did with Lot and his family, and Job. He does not always inform us the outcome because if he did we might try to handle it our way.
The festivities of life can be appeasing, as it momentarily fulfills the appetite of our sinful nature. We find ourselves fixated on the emotions of its immediate gratification. The problem is this, although the impulsiveness leaves one mentally or physically drained, the driving forces of sin keeps them returning for that gratification fix.
If we continue to gravitate back to those sins that God has delivered us from and allow our emotions to dictate our heart, we find ourselves in a repetitive state of temptation and eventual destruction.
But we must remember that God’s words says this, “No Temptation has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word, He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy],” (I Corinthians 10:13).
Lot’s wife gave in to her temptation and lost her life. Lot removed himself from the temptation and God speared his life. Job resisted his temptation; even though it tried to overtake him and demise his character, he continued trusting in God, and God gave back everything Job lost.
We must learn to trust God; He will make a way to escape, only if we trust Him wholeheartedly.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths, (Proverbs 3:5-6).
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