Raphael (1483-1520 Italian) St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
The Bible never gives us the name of Lot’s wife. Maybe for good reason since, in many ways, she is the epitome of every woman and every man. The fact that she is relatively nondescript makes her more relate-able. She looked back and paid dearly…but I’m getting ahead of the story.
The LORD had sent two of His angels to spare Lot and his family from the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16-19:38). Lot and his wife and daughters had been warned:
When they had brought them outside, one said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.” Genesis 19:17
Mrs. Lot looked back “and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26) This is where the debate ensues. Was her demise due to unbelief? Disobedience? Love of the world and the things in it? All of these reasons are probable. The one I’d like us to consider is the love of the world and the things in it – with a twist. Read More »
This week the Lord has allowed me to witness remarkable acts of courage among His faithful. These acts were courageous because they had a cost. Each situation put a relationship at risk or compromised someone’s standing in the world.
As battles waged between their flesh and their spirit, battles of opinion were waged with those who surrounded them. The flesh whispered, “You’ll be offensive. Don’t hurt their feelings. What could you possibly say to comfort them?” And the Spirit reminded them of their relationship with the Lord. They knew the Lord had uniquely equipped them and placed them in their particular situation:
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
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I can’t take credit for this title – our pastor’s wife, Bonnie, often encourages us to jump off our personal “cliffs” and into a life of faith, a life of trusting God more than we trust ourselves. You’ve probably heard the cliche to take things “one step at a time. ” In my experience, that really is the way the LORD develops our faith, our trust, in Him. He asks us to live a life of faith one step at a time.
The Old Testament is replete with account after account of the LORD developing relationships of faithfulness to Him. And the Bible also records His covenant promises to the faithful. We must remember that God cannot deny Himself and His faithfulness does not depend upon ours!
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13
Having said that, God does require us to participate in our faith journey. He does ask us to take initiative, to take the first step. And before our foot has hit the ground, He has taken action. A great example of the LORD’s faithfulness is recorded in Joshua 3. Read More »
