Distressed

DEVOTION

GENESIS

DISTRESSED

Gen 21:8-13

8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring."

NIV

Two situations are within this text. The first is the great feast regarding the weaning of Isaac. It would seem strange for us today to hold a big party when our son left his mother’s breast for solid food. Today, our babies do not even take solid food upon being weaned, but rather are nourished with jars filled with mushy things. Still this is not a time when we throw a great celebration. But in the time of Abraham this was a special event. From other scriptures we find references to counting all males three years and up, whose names are in the genealogical records, for the purpose of serving in the temple. Samuel’s mother indicated she would take him to the temple, where he was to live after he was weaned. It would not have been possible for him to live in his own until he was weaned or about three years of age. So it was a special transition time from being an infant attached to its mother and becoming counted among the men. Surely he was still under the charge of a male, as he had not reach twelve, becoming accountable to God for his own life. But he would be leaving his mother and being under the charge of his father. A great transition for boys in that day. Now Ishmael was already seventeen years of age, as Abraham was eighty six when he was born, and one hundred when Isaac was born plus the three years now at the time of his weaning makes seventeen years. Ishmael was making fun at this transition of the little boy being counted as among the males. At seventeen Ishmael had already not only been counted among the males but had transferred to manhood at twelve. We are not told if Abraham held a great feast when Ishmael was weaned, but it would seem because of his mocking that might not have happened for him, even though he was a son of Abraham. This word mocking is taken from the Hebrew word meaning to mock, to make merry, to laugh out loud, to make sport of something. We can take our lesson from this. Whenever someone else’s success is celebrated, how do we feel? Certainly we would not ever mock their success openly, or maybe we might in some other way. It could be possible we might attempt to discredit their success and thus nullify the celebration. If their success was due to some underhanded method, which we were aware of, would we speak to someone about it, thus mocking the celebration of their achievements?  Ishmael had a choice, he could have entered into the celebration giving more joy to his father. But he choose to mock. This actually caused Sarah to become vindictive toward him and his mother Hagar. We can just imagine Sarah screaming at Abraham about Ishmael’s behavior and telling him to get rid of him and his mother. Both the behavior of Ishmael and Sarah brought distress to Abraham. Ishmael to his father, Sarah to her husband. Whenever we mock in any fashion we actually bring distress to our Father as well as discredit our own reputation as his child. We also bring distress to our Lord as he is our bridegroom, our husband.  Yet God intervened for the sake of Abraham’s distress. He assured him he should rest easy regarding Ishmael, for God knows he too is his son and he will bless him, making him into many nations as well. Here is another lesson. If we are ever in the situation of being mocked, or one of our family being mocked by another, when we have strife within our family members, we should not get distressed over it, for God sees our situation and he assures us he will handle it, as he watches over our lives, he directs our paths, he orders our steps. As, with Abraham, we should not have cause to be distress for any reason. If we ever feel distressed, God is there to relieve our distress. Let us neither bring distress nor feel distressed. 

He promised

DEVOTION

GENESIS

HE PROMISED, WE BELIEVE

Gen 21:1-7

21:1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. 4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." 7 And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

NIV

The joy of being parents to a newborn. Both Abraham and Sarah had to be overjoyed at the birth of Isaac. But it might have been for different reasons. God had promised Abraham a son that would become a nation of people. Abraham believed God. In their old age they produced a son and Sarah even nursed him. This was a miracle as well as her even becoming pregnant. But God had promised. When God promises he always fulfills his promise. Sarah was filled with Joy, she told people that God has brought her laugher. Anyone who hears about this old woman having a baby and nursing him will laugh with me, or have joy for her. It is a very joyful occasion for Sarah, as well for Abraham. It surely cements his faith in God, which is for sure. Abraham obeyed the Lord as well in the circumcision of his son when he was eight days old. What do we learn here? Although we already know the joy of becoming a parent, there still resides a lesson about our relationship with God. He promises and he fulfills. We have faith and believe. It is doubtful that could ever be turned around. It would seem impossible to conceive that we could promise and fulfill, but it is possible for God to have faith and believe, in us. He always believes in us, he desires the best for us, which is why he sent Jesus to fulfill the law we could never do in order to attain salvation. God never loses faith in us, always believing we will do the right thing, accepting his son as our Lord and Savior. We, on the other hand have the most difficult time fulfilling any promise we make, not only to other people, but even to God. This is why we should never make an oath.

Matt 5:33-37

33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath , but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

NIV

We are flawed in our humanity, but God is perfect in all ways. Our only task, our only righteous act is to accept his provision, his promise for our salvation through Jesus, and his promises regarding our relationship with him. He promised to provide for us, he promised to direct our paths, he promised to send us the Holy Spirit. We could spend hours listing all the promises God has made to us, his people, to his creation. The point is God always fulfills his promise. There should never be any doubt in minds, our spirits that God will always be there fulfilling his promise. Jesus promised that when he away he would prepare a place for us and that if he prepared a place for us, he would then return to take us to that place. If it were not so he would not have told us.

John 14:1-4

14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 

NIV

This is one of the greatest promises we will ever have and we can be sure it will be fulfilled. This is what trusting God is all about. He promised, he will do it, we believe it. 

The Alliance

DEVOTION

GENESIS

THE ALLIANCE

Gen 20

20:1 Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, 2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman." 4 Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, "Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5 Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister,' and didn't she also say, 'He is my brother'? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands." 6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all yours will die." 8 Early the next morning Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said, "What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done." 10 And Abimelech asked Abraham, "What was your reason for doing this?" 11 Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.' 12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And when God had me wander from my father's household, I said to her, 'This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother." '"  14 Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, "My land is before you; live wherever you like." 16 To Sarah he said, "I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated." 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again, 18 for the LORD had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household because of Abraham's wife Sarah.

NIV

Although this is the entire chapter 20 of Genesis, we find it impossible to break this up into smaller segments as the point takes the whole of the chapter and is singular in nature. We remember the same type of deception by Abraham and Sarah back when they entered Egypt and their dealings with Pharaoh. This account seems to mimic that one with the exception that this king did heard from the Lord and did not touch Sarah. It seems unlikely that she would have been the raving beauty of years ago when they encountered Pharaoh. In fact, she is now pregnant with Isaac. First we should consider the reason Abraham pulled up camp and took off toward this region.  He lived within view of the plains of what was Sodom and Gomorrah where there now is but smoldering ashes. Although he petitioned God for the sake of Lot, and the lord saved Lot on account of Abraham, we are not told that the Lord informed Abraham of Lot’s safety. Hence it could be that he no longer could look at what he may have thought was the end of his nephew. He needed a new view. So off he goes and enters this new kingdom of Abimelech. Having stated, with Sarah’s confirmation, that she was his sister, the king takes Sarah as his concubine, or second wife.  This was certainly an acceptable practice in those days, yet why would he take an old pregnant women? We should also note that he heard and listened to the Lord. This would mean that Abimelech was a righteous God fearing man. He knew the Lord God Most High and apparently had some relationship with him. But we are back to this question and the point we see in this chapter. Why would he take Sarah, an older woman who is pregnant? Abraham has a reputation of being a very wealthy, powerful man. We remember his defeat of four kings, with his trained men. Surely this defeat has reached the ears of many other kings and if a king had any wisdom at all, he would make every effort to forge an alliance with this man Abraham. It would be smart not to be on the wrong side of Abraham and become his servant. So Abraham is treated well where he travels and the king accepts this token of alliance willingly. This is the point of our lesson. There are always going to be people who have great wealth and power in our society. How we treat them has a great bearing on our faith in God. Do we attempt to forge an alliance with the rich and powerful in an effort to advance our cause, as Abimelech did? We know the Lord has given a teaching on that very truth.

James 2:1-4

2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

NIV

Surely nations form alliances, and for the most reasons of the weaker nations seeking the protection of the stronger, or for the reason of securing special trade agreements which benefit one more than the other.  But this is not the way of personal relationships in the family of faith. We should treat all people, no matter their wealth or power of influence the same. If we attempt to form some type of alliance with a person who has much of both for the purpose of our own gain, we have lost the reason for our lives. We are to bring honor and glory to our Lord and thus we have the greatest gift any man could ever have and we need to be giving it freely to all peoples. In the end of this chapter we see that after Abimelech has this discussion with God regarding the true identity of Sarah, he returns her to Abraham. He also gives Abraham sheep and cattle and slaves even adding more to the wealth of Abraham. But in return Abraham does pray for him and his household. There was still this alliance in that he not only gave him more wealth but told him his land was before him, live wherever you desire, my land is you land. It appears, although he was doing right by the Lord, in not touching Sarah and returning her to Abraham, he was also wanting to always be in the good graces of Abraham. It is not that we should try not to be in the good graces of certain people, but that we should not make an effort to be especially in the good graces of those who have more than us in hopes of some gain. It would seem that some churches might be guilty of this type of alliance making. Seeking the favor of the wealthiest in hopes of gain. We cannot fall prey to that type of trap.  Every person, no matter their wealth or position in life has no greater need then to know Jesus. We should not pick and choose only those who might bring us some form of gain to forge an alliance. We need to be in alliance with all men, so we can bring them to Christ. We should not think more of ourselves then we should nor we should think less of ourselves then we should. We have the greatest gain for another who does not know Jesus. Plus within the body of Christ we should treat all the same, with love and respect as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Each member of the body of Christ is gifted by God to serve the other members. In the body of Christ we are all co-heirs with Jesus. There is not one more righteous then another. There is none more worthy than another. There is no favoritism with God, and thus there should be none with us. We need to forge an alliance with all peoples in order they are blessed by God. 

Which way

DEVOTION

GENESIS

WHICH WAY

Gen 19:30-38

30 Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man around here to lie with us, as is the custom all over the earth. 32 Let's get our father to drink wine and then lie with him and preserve our family line through our father." 33 That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and lay with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. 34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, "Last night I lay with my father. Let's get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and lie with him so we can preserve our family line through our father." 35 So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went and lay with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. 36 So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. 38 The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today.

NIV

Before we place to much judgment upon these two daughters of lot for this incestuous act. They brought forth two sons. We should take a look first at the character of these two daughters and perhaps their motivation. It is also needed that we note this act was committed prior to any law given to Moses which prohibits such unions. Although by all accounts this does fly in the face of normalcy. Yet we also should not judge the actions of those of old by the standards or law of today. What we know about these two daughters of Lot is very little, yet we know from the plea Lot made to the men of Sodom regarding not taking the two men for their indecent acts, that his daughters were still women of virtue never having been with a man, although they had been betrothed. They were not women who had succumbed to any immoral sexual behavior although living in a city that was full of that behavior. So this act they conspired to do with their father had some purpose which we are told in this narrative. As others were also living in Zoar, and perhaps some of the others also fled to the mountains, it is doubtful they felt this need to preserve the human race. We might also notice as they were living in a cave, they were not the makers of wine, but that this region, as researched by scholars were more like hills and were full of vineyards. This would mean other workers of the vineyards were in the area and so the daughters were not trying to preserve the human race, but rather the ancient line of Terah, the father of Haran who was the father of their father Lot. They may well have understood as Abraham was a special man blessed of God, their father Lot having been spared, by the hand of God, by two angels divinely intervening in the life of their father, he too was a special man in the eyes of God and thus they wanted to preserve his line. We also should take note of the actions of Lot in leaving Zoar in the first place. He was assured by the angels he would be safe in this small city, yet he leaves it because he was afraid to stay in Zoar. Why was he afraid? Was he not trusting in the Lord? Did he not just have this divine encounter with the angels seeing them blind all the men of Sodom and keep him and his household safe? Yet here he is afraid. Fear does not come from God.

2 Tim 1:6-7

 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

NIV

Timidity is also translated fear and we know this is to be true. God does not give us fear, but he gives us peace and assurance of his grace, mercy and forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ. Although we know that to fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Prov 9:10

10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom ,

NIV  

But this word is used to denote reverence rather than to be afraid of God, yet in some sense it would be wise to fear his wrath and thus repent of our sin and accept his grace, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. That is truly the beginning of wisdom. But Lot feared  for his life in Zoar. So he escaped to the mountains. He surely was not trusting in God. His daughters were not trusting in God either, for both Lot and his daughters took their lives into their own hands. Lot leaving Zoar, and his daughters having sons by their father. This whole situation shows us not to take matters into our own hands, but to trust in the ways of the Lord. He will direct our paths. He will provide ways we may not think are the best ways but they are his ways. We can devise plans but he orders our footsteps.

Prov 16:9

9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

NIV

It is wise for us to seek the counsel of God before making any plans for our lives. Lot did not do this and neither did his daughters and as a result their two sons were the fathers of two tribes, nations of peoples who warred against the nation of Israel. The Moabites and the Ammonites were both enemies of the Israelites. The plans of man without the counsel of God will result in nothing but turmoil and disaster. We need to see our lives as being directed by God. We need to move, to live in accordance with his plan for our lives. Trusting in God, means just that, trusting. In retrospect, if Lot would have stayed in Zoar, his life and the lives of his daughters would have been much different. But it was what is was and we can learn from his example as to what not to do. Let us remain in complete trust in the hand of God at work in our lives. What he has started, he will compete.

Phil 1:3-6

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

NIV

So we know the best way, not our way, but his way

Remembered

DEVOTION

GENESIS

REMEMBERED

Gen 19:27-29

27 Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28 He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. 29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

NIV

This must have been high country as he could look over the valley or plains and see what the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were once. This was the place he had walked with the Lord to and where he had petitioned the Lord regarding not destroying these cities if there were but ten righteous in them. There were not ten, not even six, as Lot’s sons in law must not have been righteous, and his wife, of course disobeyed about not looking back. This left Lot and his two daughters, but knowing what is ahead regarding those two daughters, we might suspect their righteousness as well, which left Lot. Yet God would have spared them all, the whole family of Lot, on account of Abraham. There is much we could say about the incestuous act of these two daughters and the nations which became of their offspring, and ultimately became enemies of the Israelites. But we will save all that for that portion of the narrative. Here we can focus on the saving of Lot on account of Abraham. When God destroyed those cities he remembered Abraham and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe. Is it possible that people can be saved from catastrophes because of our faith and love for them? Is it possible that if we petition the Lord for members of our family, God will save them because he remembers us? Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.  We are credited as righteous because we are in Christ, as he is our righteousness.

1 Cor 1:30-31

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.   31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."  

NIV

We can certainly not boast about our righteousness in the flesh, but being in Christ we are in fact seen as righteous by the Lord. Therefore as with Abraham, God remembers us. Our family may find refuge in our faith. That sounds a bit strange, but the point is that because of our faith in Christ, God hears our petitions. Abraham petitioned the Lord because he knew a portion of his family would perish if he did not ask God to save him. We have the ability to petition God for our family, for those who would perish in the coming catastrophe. What we know about Lot from our past encounters with him, may or may not indicate he was also a man of faith as Abraham was. Yet the Lord spared him on account of Abraham. Will the Lord spare our family members on account of our faith? It would seem so, as long as we petition him regarding them. Do they have to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in order to be spared? This seems to be the single point for all to be saved. Yet with what we know about Lot, he was spared and as we see here, not because of his own doing, but because of Abraham. So then can we find solace in the fact God will remember us regarding our petitions for our family members? It might well be so. Yet as with Abraham, we need to make that petition as well as be that person of faith. We first must be born again. We must have that intimate relationship with the Lord, as Abraham did. As we are in Christ we have the confidence.

1 John 5:13-15

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him.

NIV

This is the confidence Abraham had in his approaching God regarding Lot. This is the confidence we can have in approaching God regarding our family members. We know it is God will that all be saved, that none should perish.

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish , but everyone to come to repentance.

NIV

Therefor we can know without doubt that it is God’s will that every member of our family be saved and not perish. So we can come to him on behalf of our family and he will remember us in dealing with them. Whether he brings about their salvation through their turning to him, repenting, or he simply shows them mercy on our account, we can know he hears us and remembers us in his dealing with them. Just to know God remembers us is awesome. To be remembered.

Looking forward

DEVOTION

GENESIS

LOOKING FORWARD

Gen 19:23-26

23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah — from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities — and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

NIV

Lot was on the move, leaving behind everything as the angels had taken Lot, his wife and their two daughters by the hand and led them out of the city. It would appear Lot and his family had no time to pack up the valuables, or anything for that matter. Now maybe they did and we are just not told about it, but it would seem they left in a hurry and did not have much time to think about the move and prepare properly. In addition, if it was just the four of them, they could only take what they could carry, unless they had a pack mule which, again, we are not told about. So let us not interject what is not there and simply believe it was the four of them and them alone. Leaving in a hurry, a very big hurry they would have not been able to gather much. So they get to Zoar, which we find out means small. It is sunrise now and the Lord bringing down a rain of burning sulfur upon these cities and the entire plain, including all those who were living in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This included all vegetation. In today’s technology we could say, God napalmed the whole area. This raining down from heaven, the skies with burning sulfur might be the concept some people have developed of what hell is like. Flee from the life you have here in Sodom, flee and you will be spared. This was the message he was given, flee, get out of here, disaster awaits this city and if you don’t flee you will experience it along with all those whose sin is so grievous it cries out to the Lord. Surely this is the lesson for us, yet with even more to it than just fleeing. First we need to see that once we decided to flee, once we heard the voice of the Lord calling us to flee our lives, to run to him, to accept him as our Lord and Savior, we have escaped the impending rain of burning sulfur that will once again rain down from heaven and destroy not just a couple of cities, but the whole earth. We have left that life behind, we can take nothing of it with us. We cannot pack up all the ways of our life and take them with us into this new life in Christ.

2 Cor 5:17-18

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

NIV

It cannot be any clearer than that. We are no longer citizens of this world,

Phil 3:17-21

17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

NIV   

Eph 2:19-20

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

NIV

We have fled from the old life, the citizenship in this world, as Lot fled from Sodom, to no longer live there. He had to start a whole new life, leaving all behind, his citizenship, his position, his possessions, everything behind. Certainly when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we do not have to leave all our possessions behind, nor leave our home and travel to some far off place. But we do need to leave our citizenship with this world behind, we need to forfeit our rights as citizens of the world in order to be citizens of heaven. We cannot hold dual citizenship, we cannot serve two masters. Yet, as we make that transition from the city of darkness and death into the city of Light and Life, we cannot even glance back. Lot’s wife did just that, and her fate was being turned into a pillar of salt. There can be no turning back, as the lyrics of that sang so appropriately say.

1.    I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2.    Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

3.    The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

These lyrics are based on a conversation a man had with Jesus.

Luke 9:57-62

57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."  59 He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."  61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." 62 Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." 

NIV

There it is, once we have put our hand to the plow, once we decided to follow Jesus, if we look back with that wander lust for our old life, we are not fit for service in the kingdom of God. This does not mean we have to be without anything, far from it. God blesses us beyond measure, but the point is the old life of self-indulgence, self-orientation, living completely for self is gone. We have fled our attitudes about life. We have fled the sin which condemned us. Not that we are without sin now, but we have been redeemed. Although we can return to the world, we can forfeit our citizenship in heaven and return to a life of darkness and death, it would be a disaster. Again we cannot hold that dual citizenship, once we have been born again a new creature in Christ, we hold a heavenly citizenship. In all reality there can be no turning back. We cannot even look back. We have said it before and most likely will say it again; if we are chained to our past, we cannot move into our future. We have to give the old life up completely and keep our eyes on Jesus.

Heb 12:2-3

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

NIV

Let us keep looking up, looking forward, the past is past and the future is before us. 

Warning

DEVOTION

GENESIS

WARNING

Gen 19:12-22

12 The two men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here — sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13 because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it." 14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, "Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!" But his sons-in-law thought he was joking. 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. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!" 18 But Lot said to them, "No, my lords, please! 19 Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die. 20 Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it — it is very small, isn't it? Then my life will be spared." 21 He said to him, "Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. 22 But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it." (That is why the town was called Zoar.)

NIV

It is difficult to separate this dialog between Lot and the angels although there is more than truth or lesson for us. Now that the angels have saved Lot and his household from the angry passion thirsty men of the city, they inform him of what the Lord is about to do and that he and his household should get out of town. It rather odd that Lot now goes outside to speak to his future sons in law. Were they not part of the “all the men of the city, young and old” who were wanting these two strangers for their purpose? These two were pledged to Lots daughters, but were still seeking pleasure with these two strangers. Nevertheless, Lot attempts to get them out of town to save their lives. He has either a certain respect for them, or he was wanting his daughters to have some opportunity of a normal life, married and having children. Yet as with so many who seek to fulfill their own passions, they had no interest in the warning about the coming disaster. These two sons in law thought Lot was joking, they laughed it off. It is not much different today. God has declared in no uncertain terms he will destroy this earth with fire one day. This day is coming, just as it came for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when fire will rain down from heaven and consume this earth. The angels warning Lot to flee the city, he and his household, get out now. Yet Lot even hesitated. Why did he hesitate? Had he become too comfortable with his own life in the city that he did not want to leave it? Had his position as either a city leader or successful businessman lure him into this hesitation? But the angels would have nothing to do with this, they grabbed his hand and forced him to leave, actually leading him and his wife and daughters out of the city because the Lord was merciful to them. God in his infinite wisdom knows what is best for us. He has had mercy on us by sending his son Jesus to save us. He has sent messengers all throughout the ages to warn us of the impending disaster which is to come upon the earth. However, he does not forcibly make people escape, they must make that choice on their own. Yet it does seem at times, at least with those who have decided to follow Jesus, God does take us by the hand and lead us from danger. There are also times when we might hesitate to respond and God insists, so he makes it very clear as to the path we must take. As the angels lead Lot, God leads us. He may use a varied method but it is clear he will lead us from danger to safety. Lot was not excited about heading up into the mountains, he had become comfortable with city life, although he had once lived as a nomad. He implored the angels not to send him to the mountains, that there was a small city he could go to, a very small insignificant city. Once again the Lord allowed his request. God will grant our requests if we are truthful with him. Lot was afraid of going into the hills. He was not prepared to live like that again. His fear gripped him and he asked for help. The Lord granted his request as he will for us, if we are truthful with him. We have fears in life, we get anxious about what is going to happen. We have thoughts about how will we survive this situation or that one. But God is near and if we draw near to him he will draw near to us. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. God will not lead us into a place we could not survive in. So he allowed Lot this change of venue, to a small town instead of the mountains. We also see that the Lord told Lot that he must hurry in his escape for he would not destroy the cities until he has reached his destination safely. This too is for the peoples of today. God is waiting to destroy this place until we all reach safety. Granted some will never even leave town to follow the Lord to safety. But he already knows who will and who will not. The reason destruction has not already come upon the earth is he knows there are still some who will listen to the warning and leave this city of darkness, and cross over to the city of light and life. We have made that journey, but others must also. Who will be the messengers to warn them? Will God send them angels or will he use us? The truth is he has given all men a fair warning. 

Make the offer

DEVOTION

GENESIS

MAKE THE OFFER

Gen 19:4-11

4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom — both young and old — surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them." 6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof." 9 "Get out of our way," they replied. And they said, "This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We'll treat you worse than them." They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door. 10 But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. 11 Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.

NIV

What are we to do with this? It was not as if a few men in the city were deposed to this perverted form of sexual behavior, it was all the men, both young and old that surrounded the house demanding the two new men that came into the city be given to them for their purpose. It was not even for a consensual purpose but it appears they intended to rape these men, against their wills. Is there any wonder their behavior cried out to the Lord? Yet we cannot judge them, nor should we, as any one sin is as grievous as the next one. There are no levels of sin, sin is simply sin. If any of us are without sin, then we certainly have the right to cast the first stone, to judge the behavior of these men of Sodom, as well as judge the behavior of any person today. Yes, we do judge the behavior of others in as so far as their behavior toward the laws of our land. If they violate a law and are caught, they are judged based on the evidence. But we cannot and should not judge sin, which is strictly up to God and him alone.  But we can do that which Lot did in some sense. We can make every effort to protect the innocent from being victims of sin. Lot offered his own daughters in an effort to protect these guests in his home. He was right to insist they not stay in the square, yet he did not know it was he who would be protected by these strangers, these divine angels of the Lord. We have several lessons within the text. First, as we have already noted, Lot did not judge their sin, and we cannot judge the sin of others. We have enough of our own to judge. Second, we should make every effort to protect others from being the victim of sin. How do we do that? We know that the wages of sin is death.

Rom 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NIV

But we also know the free of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is how we do it. We offer them the protection of Jesus Christ. Just as Lot could not actually defend the strangers against the sin of the men in the city, we cannot actually protect others from sin, or the effects of sin. But we can offer them Jesus Christ. As Lot did, we can make every effort to persuade others to forgo their behavior. He offered his daughters, we can offer Jesus. He is the only refuge from the wages of sin, death. The other lesson is just that. When lot failed to convince the men of Sodom to turn away from what they were desiring to do, the angels of the Lord took charge of the situation. We can offer Jesus, but it is the Spirit of the Lord who will take charge of the situation and both convict people of their need to repeat and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. But that does not relieve us from making every effort to protect them from being victims of sin. Yet it is the Lord who does the real protection from sin. The angels took charge both by bringing Lot back within his home, keeping him from becoming their victim, and they struck all the men with blindness so they could not even find the door. There too is another lesson. When people refuse to listen to reason, when they refuse our offer of Jesus Christ and push forward to make us their victim, God strikes them with spiritual blindness in a sense in order to protect us. When people are unwilling to accept Jesus Christ, they are spiritual blind, they cannot find the door to eternal life.

John 10:7-10

7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

NIV

Spiritual blindness causes men not to be able to see the gate, Jesus Christ. When people refuse to repent of their sin, or rather refuse to acknowledge their behavior is sin, they are blind to the truth. We must always be willing to acknowledge our sin, our behaviors, our attitudes, our responses before God, seeking forgiveness because of what Jesus Christ did for us. If we fail to see our own sin, we might well be spiritual blind too. It might be too easy for us to get caught up in self-righteousness, seeing and judging the sin of others while not seeing our own. But as we know ourselves, and have the free gift of God through Jesus Christ, let us offer that same protection to others. Let us make the offer.  

Protection

DEVOTION

GENESIS

PROTECTION

Gen 19:1-3

19:1 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning." "No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square." 3 But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.

NIV

Before we get into the details of the situation that happens in this city between Lot and the men, the angels and the men, the angels and Lot and then of course his wife and daughters, we need to set the stage so to speak. Here we have Lot sitting in the gateway of the city. This would imply he had some form of prominence in the city. The gateway was the place a magistrate sits in judgement of civil disputes as well as a place to conduct business. From the exchange of the men of the city screaming at Lot about wanting to play judge, it may be that he was not a magistrate but he may well have been a successful business man. We know he was wealthy when he lived with Abraham, so much so they had to part company. We were told he pitched his tent near Sodom. He was living a nomadic life, living in tents, with flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, many men under his employ. Now he is living within the city, in a home, but not just any city, Sodom, a city filled with such grievous sin the Lord plans to destroy it. Why is Lot living in such a place? Was he attempting to bring some knowledge of the Lord God Most High to this city? We know he kept himself from indulging in their activities of sin. Although, as we will see, he did call them friends. We are not entirely sure just what Lot’s relationship was with the people of this city. But we do know that when he saw these two strangers approaching the city gateway he greeted them with the customary greeting of bowing down before them. We do not know if he knew of their divine nature. Yet he knew strangers would not be safe in this city during the night hours. He also, in his invitation to spend the night in his home, made sure they knew he expected them to be on their way early in the morning. He did not want these men spending any more time Sodom then they had to. He knew what would happen to them if they stayed in the square. Again we could focus on hospitality, but there is more than that here. Lot was being protective of strangers he knew nothing about. Surely if he did know they were of divine nature, angels, he would not have felt the need to protect them from the activities of darkness. It would seem the city was rather normal during the day light, business being conducted as any city would be, people shopping for the daily meals, vendors selling wears, buying and selling, disputes being brought to the magistrate within the gateway, and all the general life of a city. But at night, in the darkness, this city must have been filled with sin. This is why Lot did not want these strangers staying in the square. We see this truth with the New Testament.

John 3:19-21

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

NIV

This must have been the way it was in Sodom. For Lot could not see these strangers being victims of the evil deeds played out in the night hours under the cover of darkness.  Because Lot had some sort of relationship with the Lord he felt the need to protect these strangers. This might serve as a lesson. Should we not also feel a sense of protection toward those who might wander into a sinful situation, becoming the victim of the prince of darkness? How can we protect them? Lot offered his home as a refuge from what would happen to them in the square. He offered what he knew would be a safe haven, although it appears it might not have been that safe as we see from the rest of the narrative. Yet we have a safe haven we can offer all strangers who come into our gateway. We sit at the gateway of the city of Light, the paradise of God. Many strangers pass our way, and we have the opportunity to approach them, greet them and invite them into our home, the paradise of God. There they can find comfort, provisions and a safe place from the prince of darkness and the sin that lurks in the dark places to ensnare and entrap its victims. The reason we can sit in this gateway is we hold a prominent place in the city. We are co-heirs with Christ, We are the children of God, but we are also his ambassadors in a strange land. We serve as his ambassadors, we speak for our Sovereign Lord. But that also means we have diplomatic immunity. We are not under the authority of the prince of darkness. So let us sit in the gateway, as ambassadors of Christ, inviting strangers into the protection of our eternal home, the city of Light.

Intercession

DEVOTION

GENESIS

INTERCESSION

Gen 18:26-33

26 The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." 27 Then Abraham spoke up again: "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?" "If I find forty-five there," he said, "I will not destroy it." 29 Once again he spoke to him, "What if only forty are found there?" He said, "For the sake of forty, I will not do it." 30 Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?" He answered, "I will not do it if I find thirty there." 31 Abraham said, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?" He said, "For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it." 32 Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it." 33 When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

NIV

Abraham entreats the Lord to spare the city of Sodom, as we are aware, he knows this is where his nephew lives. Abraham continues to converse with the Lord in a most persuasive manner, from sparing on account of finding fifty righteous down to if only ten righteous are there. Did Lot’s family total ten? All we are aware of is Lot, his wife, and two daughters, at least that were in the house at the time the angels visited there. So we really are not sure why Abraham did not continue until he was able to entreat the Lord not to destroy this city if there were only four righteous. But then knowing what happened when Lot and his family did leave, his wife may not have been that righteous. Maybe even his daughters were not that righteous, maybe it was just Lot. Did the Abraham actually change the mind of God? Did not God already know Abraham would speak to him on behalf of this city for the sake of Lot? Did not God already know Abraham would continue until he agreed to save the city if only ten righteous were found? Is the point of all this discussion between Abraham and the Lord merely to show us there were not even ten righteous in the city? The whole of the city had perverted their lives to a point they had no recollection of God at all. Even though they were generations removed from their ancestors, they were still somewhere in the line of one of the sons of Noah. The stories told of the days of Noah had to have been passed down generation to generation. We would think all peoples knew of the Lord’s wrath poured out on the whole world so that all people except Noah and his family were destroyed. How soon they must have forgotten about the wrath of God against such grievous disregard for him. This is the very reason the Lord told Abraham he was going to visit Sodom.  But our lesson is in the reason, which we will have more opportunity to learn as we continue with this narrative and what happens. But let us stay for a moment with the fact their lives, their sin was so grievous. They had forgotten about God. They lived to serve their own pleasures rather than God. It is easy to get catch up in life, a self-centered life, which surely they were doing. But we should not be too harsh to judge them as we too, even though we will never forget about God, get too comfortable with the pleasures of life. It is easy to forge our own way rather than to follow God. Following God is more than going to church on Sunday morning, or attending a bible study or small group. Following God is more than checking off a list of the do’s and don’ts. Following God is living as he desires us to live, trusting him for all things in our lives. If God says, move, we move. If God says stay, we stay. If God says for us to speak to someone, we speak to them about Jesus. This is not our lives to live in any manner we desire. We are servants of the Most High God Almighty. Now, the other lesson which also needs to be seen, is in the intercession of Abraham. This was a demonstration of the intercession Jesus makes on our behalf before the throne of God. Although we try our very best, and even having the Spirit dwelling within, we do continue to sin. Sure we may not murder, steal, or violate some of the other commandments, but we do have attitudes and even behaviors that are considered sin. If it were not for Jesus Christ and his intercession for us, we would be subject to the wrath of God. Those who refused to accept Jesus surely will experience the wrath which will be unleased upon Sodom. Still, we who have not forgotten God, who desire to live a life pleasing to him, continue to need the intercession of Jesus on our behalf. Abraham serves to show us Jesus. 

The Judge

DEVOTION

GENESIS

THE JUDGE

Gen 18:20-25

20 Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know." 22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.   23 Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

NIV

There is far more to this exchange between Abraham and the Lord, but we need to repose in this moment first. As the Lord had determined, he revealed to Abraham his intent regarding Sodom and Gomorrah. Rather than throwing up his hands in surrender, Abraham begins to petition the Lord certainly on account of Lot living there. The technic or method Abraham uses in his attempt to save Lot from this coming wrath is by reminding God of his own character. “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” Then he adds, “Far be it from you to do such a thing – to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Here is our truth, our lesson. God does not treat the righteous and the wicked alike. But who are the righteous and who are the wicked?

Rom 1:17

17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."  

NIV

The righteous are those who live by faith. Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Lamb of God, who died for their sin and is their Lord and Savior.

There is so much scripture which talks about the righteous and the wicked it would be difficult to include all of it, yet there is evidence God does not treat the righteous and the wicked alike.

Mal 3:17-18

17 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked , between those who serve God and those who do not.

NIV

Those who serve God and those who do not. This is what is comes down to. There is not a single person on earth who is righteous in and of themselves. We are all sinners. But Jesus is our righteousness.

1 Cor 1:30-31

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.   31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."  

NIV

Let us boast about Jesus Christ, not about our righteous acts, for we have no righteous acts, all being sinners. The difference is those who are considered righteous are those who are in Christ Jesus. Those who refuse to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, who form some type of allegiance with a false god are considered the wicked. We could enumerate many of the false gods which would take a long time, but we know for certain, the god of self is one of the most popular. They is also a distinction between those who say they believe in God, and those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This is far more difficult to notice the difference and we should leave than up to God, for we would be acting as a judge whom we are not qualified to be. Yet it is clear the in order for a man or woman to see the kingdom of God they must be born again.

John 3

 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 

NIV

This may be the distinction between believing in God, and being in Christ Jesus and thus being considered righteous. Yet the point of all this is God does indeed treat the two differently. The righteous will inherit eternal life, the wicked will not. The end of the wicked is of some debate. Some believe the scripture proves they will be in eternal punishment in hell. But Hell and or hades is cast into the lake of burning sulfur and thus is destroyed. Some believe the scripture proves the wicked are also cast into the lake of burning sulfur, which is true, but the rub is what happens then. Do they burn forever, or do they perish? Either way, the wicked are not treated to eternal life as the righteous are. God treats those who serve him way differently than those who do not. In the famous words of Joshua, “Choose this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my household we will serve the Lord.” Then there is no fear when we stand before the Judge.