Imagine with me, if you will, that a couple of angels arrive at your doorstep and tell you your city is about to be destroyed by fire.  Everything and everyone within the city limits will be burned up unless they flee. . . now!  What would you do?  Would you take time to pack the suitcases and gather up your keepsakes, or would you grab your family by the hand and run for your lives?

The answer is pretty simple, right.  Who, in their right mind, would risk their lives to save their stuff?  Well, the Bible tells us of just such a man.  His name was Lot, and we find his story in the book of Genesis.

Lot lived in the city of Sodom, a wicked place where God’s children did not belong.  But not only did Lot live there, he was an important figurehead in the town.  The Bible tells us he sat in the gate, which in Bible times was a place of leadership, reserved for those of high standing.  

When God decided He had had enough of Sodom and Gomorrah’s wickedness, He sent two of His angels to rescue Lot and his family, per the request of Abraham, Lot’s uncle.  When the angels told Lot of the city’s upcoming demise, he immediately went to the his sons-in-law to convince them to flee with him, but they laughed him to scorn.  With no time to spare, the angels urged Lot to gather his wife and two daughters and follow them to safety.  Notice Lot’s response.

 Did you see it?  And while he lingered…  Lot knew destruction was imminent.  He was aware he and his family were in mortal danger.  It was clear he needed to run for his life and take his family with him.  Yet he lingered.  With death at his doorstep, he took the time to stop and survey all he would be leaving behind.  His home.  His livelihood.  His possessions and position.  He knew the best thing to do was flee, but when the time came, he paused to consider if it was worth it.

It sounds crazy, or does it?  Don’t we often do the same thing?  Aren’t we guilty of making poor choices even though we know better?  Let’s face it—some things are hard to give up.  It’s difficult to walk away from certain habits even when we know they aren’t good for us.  It’s not easy to walk away from that 60-hour-a-week job even though you know it’s destroying your family.  It’s hard to give up your extravagant lifestyle so you can give more money to the church.  And who wants to give up their weekend lake time so they can attend church on Sunday?

The truth is sometimes we need to be saved from ourselves.  Rescued from our poor choices.  Deep down in our hearts, we know what’s right—what’s best—but at that moment, it’s just too hard to let go.  To put down that candy bar.  Or beer.  Or cigarette.  Or dirty magazine.  We know destruction is at our doorstep if we continue in our current path, yet like Lot, we linger.  Just one more look.  One more taste.  One more shopping spree.

Fortunately, God is merciful.  In fact, the above verses in Genesis tell us so.  Left on their own, Lot and his family would have perished in the fires of Sodom.  They didn’t have the will to flee, so God gave them a little “nudge.”  The account tells us the two angels took hold of Lot’s hand, the hand of his wife, and the hands of Lot’s two daughters and pulled them away from the city. (I want to talk a little more about this in my next post, Lord willing).

Now, some would argue here about man’s free will.  If Lot didn’t want to go and God forced him, did that mean Lot had no free will?  Not at all.  What this story proves is that God is merciful and will give us what we need and not always what we want.  He wants what is best for us and loves each of us too much to allow us to settle for less.  God loves us enough to save us from our bad habits and destructive lifestyles even if we’re too blinded to realize we need saving or too weak to do what needs to be done.

Lot didn’t really want to stay.  He didn’t want to be destroyed.  But in the moment of truth, he realized all he was about to lose, and he froze.  In His mercy and grace, God gave the family the extra prompting they needed to “get out of Dodge.”  And He does the same for us.  Sometimes He sends along a Bible verse or a song at just the right time.  Often He uses His children to literally grab us by the hands and lead us away from destruction.  Sometimes it’s a card or a billboard or the innocent words of a child.  The means and methods vary, but God’s mercy doesn’t.

I’d like to leave you with two thoughts.  First off, don’t jeopardize your life for things that don’t really matter.  No job, habit, or possession is worth losing your life or your family.  It’s time to stop lingering on the doorstep of destruction and to step into the light.

Secondly, if you know someone who is struggling or living a dangerous lifestyle, you could be the angel to grab them by the hand and lead them out of harm’s way.  Don’t turn the other way.  Be a friend.  Say a prayer.  Send a note.  Give a hug.  Lend an ear.  And above all, let them know there is a better way.  Share with them the truth of God’s love and mercy.  It’s the least we can do.