Perspectives on Lot Pt. 1: Proximity Warning 7/18/31

"Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom.  Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord."  Genesis 13:12-13

Abram, later known as Abraham, having been separated by God from his homeland and the rest of his family, prospered along with his nephew Lot in the land of Canaan.  In fact, the two of them were so prosperous that their herdsmen began to fight about water and grazing for each of their growing amounts of  livestock.  Abram suggested an amicable parting of company to preserve the relationship.  In so doing, he gave Lot the choice.  Lot chose a very fertile and well watered land that happened to be near the wicked city of Sodom.  Further, Scripture reveals that Lot would make his home in the city.

It was not long before Lot, his family and his possessions were taken captive as victims of war.  This would turn out to be the least of the problems he would experience in association with that city.  Lot was ultimately rescued by Abram, yet he chose to remain a resident of the city and was there when the day of God's reckoning against Sodom and its twin city, Gomorrah, arrived.

Beloved, the choices we make are important.  The places we go, live and habituate can impact both our physical and spiritual well being.  The people with whom we choose to associate most surely do.  It is easy to look at a situation and see the potential advantages of being there but we must consider the lenses through which we are looking.  Having been saved from darkness, many of us are reluctant to stray too far from its border.  We make choices that keep us in its near proximity allowing us to smell the scents, see the sights and hear the sounds without participating in the activities. This, as it turned out for Lot and many who make similar decisions, can be disastrous. We must rather adhere to the bold admonition, "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;  for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret" Ephesians 5:12.

All that glitters is not gold.  The wide and easy path is not the best path, just the most traveled.  We must make choices that place us well within the borders of God's will for our lives rather than attending to the periphery where it is easier to slip.  Despite its compelling views, there is more danger near the cliff than there is in the peaceful valley.

Committed,

Lee