June 24
Scripture Reading: Genesis 19:11-22
“...the Lord being merciful unto him....”
Mercy is God holding back that which is rightly deserved. Lot truly deserved to be destroyed with those cities he had come to love, but God delivered him in mercy. He is an example of the saved who will see their life’s work burned up at the Judgment Seat of Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 3:11-15) They will be saved, but their works will suffer loss; saved yes, “yet so as by fire.” Although Lot was deemed “a righteous man,” there was not much righteousness seen in his life, and everything he left behind in the judged cities bore witness of that fact. That mercy is clearly seen when the angels had to lay hold upon Lot as he lingered, not really wanting to leave that wicked place.
The message to Lot was, “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountains let thou be consumed.” Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Looking back signifies an unhealthy affection, a love for things for which the believer must leave behind in his walk with Christ. Lot was the picture of a carnal, worldly follower of Jesus Christ. Beloved, carnality will destroy the effectiveness of the believer, and will cost dearly as it did in the life of Lot. The challenge for the believer is to continue living in the world, but not be of the world; not to allow the world’s allurements to turn one’s heart from faithfully following and serving the Lord Jesus. With eyes and heart firmly fixed upon the Lord, and the world behind, the follower of Jesus Christ will be the victor. May God grant us the victory through Our Lord!
Pastor Steve Smith