July 24

“Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.”  —GENESIS 13:12-13

The Christian life is not one in which we remain static. We either digress or progress, as clearly illustrated in the lives of both Abraham and his nephew, Lot. Lot is a sidebar story of Abraham, a minor player who lives vicariously through Abraham. He had travelled with Abraham from Ur of the Chaldeans to Haran where they settled for years. They then journeyed to Canaan, but threatened by a severe famine, set out for Egypt, then eventually back to Canaan. Lot never emerged from the shadow of Abraham. 

In Canaan, they parted company because their flocks, herds and possessions were so great the land could not support them both. Abraham gives Lot his choice of land, and he takes the lush, green plain of the Jordan, leaving his uncle with the tough, barren land. Lot then heads east and pitches his tents near Sodom, a city immersed in debauchery and sin. Before long, he is captured by invading powers, rescued by Abraham, and returned to Sodom, this time seated in the gateway of the city. This was a prominent place for city officials as they could keep watch on the comings and goings of the people, and could be readily sought out for counsel. Lot is no longer outside the camp of Sodom, but is now one of its leaders; an influential man who does not counter the depravity and corruption of Sodom, but becomes an active participant.

What is the cause of this moral decay in a man who had travelled for years with Abraham? If one were to have asked Lot what he believed about God, he would have probably given the correct answer, because what he knew is what Abraham knew. His faith was merely a spin off of Abraham’s, a man who experienced and knew God, but Lot simply experiences God through the life of Abraham. His motivations were not related to God, but to himself. Once they parted company, Lot had lost his moorings and had no secure direction in which to navigate. 

The work of God in other people’s lives can never be a substitute for our own walk with God. No one can be saved on the coattails of someone else, not even our spouses. God has no grandchildren. The Christian life is a relationship with Jesus Christ, dealing directly with Him. We can be pitching our tents near Sodom, giving the devil plenty of room to maneuver, or we can be anchored in the Lord, allowing Him to navigate our way.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, keep me from the gates of Sodom. Be my strength in times of temptation and anchor my life in You. Thank You, Lord. 

TO REFLECT UPON: Who would I say is navigating the course of my life?