“It is fatal to look behind. All our past is strewn with the memories of our sins and failures. There is but one hope. Escape to the Cross of the Divine Redeemer! Shelter in the cleft Rock of Ages! Hasten to the open arms of the Father!” -F.B. Meyer “13)….this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26) Lot’s wife showed that she did not believe God either. Her affections were set on the things of Sodom, on the things of the world. She loved the world. “1) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2) “15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
“It is fatal to look behind. All our past is strewn with the memories of our sins and failures. There is but one hope. Escape to the Cross of the Divine Redeemer! Shelter in the cleft Rock of Ages! Hasten to the open arms of the Father!” -F.B. Meyer “13)….this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
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“16) And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. 17) And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 18) And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19) Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die.” (Genesis 19:16) Even though Lot was a righteous man, his faith was very weak. It seems that he did not fully trust God or believe His word. Would God really destroy Sodom? Was Sodom really that bad? Apparently Lot and his family were enjoying life in the city of Sodom. Even after the Lord showed mercy unto Lot, Lot still had his own agenda. He did not want to follow God’s instructions. He thought he knew a better way. He did not trust God to take care of him in the mountain. Instead, he was afraid that something bad would happen to him and he would die. We will see that Lot’s example brought him great heartache and destroyed his whole family. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) When God shows us a way, we must trust Him and obey. If we try to go our own way, our disobedience could have a very great cost. “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” (Genesis 19:14) In living among the people of Sodom, Lot had lost his testimony even among his own family. He was a just man but did not separate himself from the world, and he lost his children to the world. “7) And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8) (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.)” (2 Peter 2:7-8) A good testimony is important. The apostle Paul said, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” (Acts 24:16) It may be that we love God; but, if our testimony does not bring glory to God, we may lead others astray. We may even lose our own family. May we seek God’s help in walking so as to bring Him honor and not bring reproach upon His name. “23) And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24) Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25) That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:23-25) Should not we, as Abraham, plead with the Lord to save souls? The Lord was willing to spare the whole city even if He found only fifty righteous in the city, even if He found only ten righteous. Yes, the Judge of all the earth will surely do right, for “The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
“17) And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18) Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19) For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” (Genesis 18:17-19) The Lord revealed His secrets to Abraham, not because Abraham knew Him, but because He knew Abraham. He knew that Abraham was faithful. He knew that Abraham would command his household to follow the Lord. Abraham was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23) Those who believe God and are obedient to Him will be His friends and will know His secrets. “14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:14-15) |
About the Author
Hello! My name is Connie, and I live in North Carolina. The Lord has blessed me with wonderful parents, a wonderful sister, and a great church family . The past few years have been difficult in many ways, but God has been with me all the way. Much praise goes to the Lord for His guidance and wisdom in starting this website. I would also like to express my thanks to Valerie who has joyfully and willingly given of her time to help design this website and do much of the technical work. She and her family are faithful servants to the Lord. They also have gone through many trials in the past few years, but they have allowed God to use these trials to make them sweeter and more like His Son Jesus Christ. Rights:
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