Devotional #26

Remember Lot's wife.

~Luke 17:32

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This is such a small little verse, but it holds a wealth of wisdom on a subject which we all need to learn from. In Genesis 19, we read of the depravity and grossness of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord graciously drew Lot and his wife out of those dreadful and wicked cities, into safety, before He destroyed them in His righteous judgement with fire and brimstone. Before releasing Lot and his wife to safety, He commanded them saying, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed." However, Lot's wife disobeyed this command. They fled together to the hills, but in verse 26, we read, "But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." She looked back, perhaps (we don't fully know why) because she left some good memories behind, some family members, or perhaps, despite the wretched sinfulness of those cities, perhaps she liked it there and didn't want to leave. But for whatever reason, she went against the Lord and His protection over her, and she looked back, making her into a pillar of salt, to serve as a reminder to all.

This verse in Luke applies just as much to us as it did to those Jews to which Jesus originally spoke it. I, for one, am ashamed to say that I have many times acted as Lot's wife did. The Lord, in His grace, however, has been patient and gracious with me. Back in January of 2005, we were within weeks of our move from Texas to Tennessee. I was furious. But more than that, I was sad. That city in Texas was the only place I had ever lived, and I was being forced to leave behind family, friends, and familiarity. If only I had trusted fully in the Lord and in the leading and authority of my father. The Lord was abundantly gracious to move us here, for we are now a part of a wonderful, Christ-honoring new church, with dear, like-minded believers. He has changed our family's beliefs and comvictions so much, and for that, I will be eternally thankful. However, I was once again just like Lot's wife about a year ago, when my father was preparing to take us from our old church, into our new one. I was untrusting, unhonoring, and sinful. You would have thought that I would have already learned my lesson fully, because of our move, huh? But not so with this sinful human being. I was once again untrusting, and for the first few weeks I often "looked back" to our old church, desiring to be there instead. However, God in His mercy and grace once again was very patient with me, and has blessed me in so many counteless ways through this wonderful church, and through each and every dear family we've met through it. He's taught me so many new things out of His Word this past few year, and I am forever changed.

What about you? What's going on in your life? Is the Lord, through your father(or husband), leading you into new and strange territory? Let my story and that of Lot's wife serve as a reminder to you. Never look back. Always trust in the Lord and in the wisdom and guidance of your father (or husband) and just rest in his leading. Know that "All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose." If your father is seeking to lead your family into more Biblical paths, don't resist him!!! Instead, thank the Lord daily that you have such a godly father, for he is not something to be taken for granted, but is to rather be seen as an immense blessing! And remember, God's plans are always best! Never Look Back.