(Genesis 19:1, 5, 17a, 26)
I. Concentration: on the angels arrive to destroy the city
1. The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. (v.1)
2. They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.” (v.5)
3. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! (v.17a)
4. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (v.26)
II. Meditation: on Lot protects the angels and his family
1. God has sent his representatives to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah – the first person they meet up with is Lot, Abraham’s nephew – he knows they belong to God.
2. It doesn’t take long for the evil men of Sodom to show their wickedness by trying to force Lot into releasing the two angels so they can have perverted sex with them.
3. The angels tell Lot the city will be destroyed, he tried to convince his sons-in-law to no avail; the angels grasp their hands (Lot, his wife and daughters) and lead them to safety.
4. Before the Lord rains burning sulfur onto the cities, they reach safety; we will never know why Lot’s wife is drawn back to what she left, but she paid for it with her life.
III. Revelation: on being tempted to return to our brokenness
1. We should never get swept up in what others are doing with their lives, if they are not standing with God; we must always be counted among the righteous.
2. The wickedness of evil people will always make an appearance, sometimes immediately and other times when we are least prepared for it.
3. Always try to help bring nonbelievers to the Kingdom of the Lord; sometimes we need to know when to leave them behind so we are not led astray.
4. If we get tempted to return to our past brokenness all we have to do is reach out our hand and our Lord will grasp it and pull us back into His arms.
IV. Application: As a Christian, I need to:
1. Be strong and always stand up for the Lord; do not allow others to attack my Faith.
2. Be naïve enough to be accepting of all types of people, but don’t be blind to people’s wickedness – pray for them to let the Lord change their hearts and remove their evil thoughts.
3. Help others accept Jesus Christ as their Savior; spend time with them, teach them, answer questions by praying to the Holy Spirit for help and guidance; know when to walk away; never allow them to pull me to their side.
4. Recognize that my past brokenness can always pull me back into the abyss – if I let it; be stronger than “it” by keeping my focus on the Lord.