There are consequences to the choices we make, therefore we need to choose wisely. We read earlier in Genesis that Lot chose to live in the well-watered plain of the Jordan pitching his tent toward Sodom. In Genesis 19, we discover Lot not only has moved right in to Sodom and has a home there, but also that he is sitting in the gate of the city — an important public place where the elders and leaders of the city would gather to witness legal transactions and make judicial decisions in settling disputes. As a result of his poor choices, Lot has become one of the leaders and has become very much at home in this soon-to-be-destroyed wicked and immoral city.
But God shows great mercy to Lot by sending two angels to rescue him. I suspect Lot was embarrassed to have the angels find him sitting in that wicked place. Perhaps, he insisted on their going to his home for the night so they would not experience first-hand the deviant sexual behavior of Sodom’s inhabitants. Even when the angels tell Lot about God’s impending judgment on Sodom, he seems to be so attached to that wicked place that he lingers and the angels had to literally drag him out of the city.
Have you, like Lot, chosen the pleasures of sin this world offers? Have you become so ensnared that you can’t let go? And even though you know judgment is coming, do you linger? May God in his great mercy send you an angel messenger (parent, pastor, Christian friend) to warn you to flee from the sinful practices of this world that lead to destruction and help you to flee to Jesus who alone can save you.
A further thought — if you are a faithful intercessor like Abraham, take courage, the Lord may well intervene and save those family members and friends for whom you plead with God in prayer.
Choices have consequences. We cannot expect a good outcome if we make a poor choice. Deliverance is possible only through God’s great mercy.
Rev. Bill Monroe
Extended Scripture: Genesis 19-20, NKJV
