Faith Over PerfectionSample

Read: Genesis 19:15–38; Luke 17:22–35

SOAP: Luke 17:32–33

Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Lot and his family were saved from the wickedness of Sodom. Though Lot had chosen to live in Sodom because he believed the land would be fertile, it led to more loss. Ultimately, the wickedness of Sodom stayed with Lot and his family. Even in the aftermath of the destruction, the mentality of Sodom remained. 

As Lot and his wife and daughters fled from the city, Lot pleaded with the Lord for another city in which to live. Lot wanted God to give him something to make up for his loss, something to make up for leaving his home and life so abruptly. Even though Lot pleaded with the Lord to save Zoar, he was too afraid to live there after experiencing the wickedness of Sodom. Yet the wickedness of Sodom resurfaced in the cave with only Lot and his daughters. 

Lot’s wife turned back and looked at the cities of the plain as they were being destroyed. This was not a passing glance or a look of curiosity. Lot’s wife gazed longingly back at Sodom. She was longing after the life she had been rescued from. She had been saved, but she longed for the life that was leading to her destruction. Her actions showed disrespect and discontentment with God’s miraculous actions to save her. 

Jesus reminded His followers of the story of Lot’s wife as He described the end of the age. We are not to long after that from which we have been saved. When we are willing to lose our comfort, our friends, our families, our status, and our possessions for Christ we will find more life than we could have ever imagined. 

Even in this story, we are reminded of God’s kindness. As Abraham watched the destruction unfold, He saw God’s kindness in the midst of His judgment. God promised to not destroy the righteous along with the wicked, and He saved Lot for the sake of Abraham. Though His destruction was vast and complete, God’s mercy still overflowed. As we follow Christ we must be willing to leave behind the pleasures of the world to find complete, full life in Him. 

Prayer

God, You are kind. You are just. Thank You for showing me how these attributes can exist together. Help me trust You when I don’t understand Your actions. Give me boldness to turn from a life of comfort to a life that honors You. Help me not to turn back and long for anything but You. Amen.