She Looked Back!
"Remember Lot's wife." -Luke 17:32 (KJV)
Why do you think that our Lord said to remember Lot's wife when He was describing the days before His return? Do you remember the account given to us in scripture – Old Testament – specifically in Gen 19? Please take a moment to read the chapter…
Lot was right smack in the middle of a sexually immoral, inhospitable, terrible and wickedly wicked city. In fact, according to 2 Peter 2:8, he was tormented in his righteous soul by all the wickedness and lawless actions he saw taking place in the city. Almighty God dispatched two angels to destroy the cities of the plain because of the cry of the tremendous evil and wickedness that came before Him. So He was going to destroy them – judge them, but had to see first hand what took place there. This must have been really bad to deserve God's attention in this manner. As the Lord and His angels headed toward Sodom, Abraham tried to stand in the gap for the city knowing that his nephew Lot and family were there. They negotiated what would spare the city and what would not in terms of finding the correct number of righteous people. Ten was the number. The Lord could only find four – Lot, his wife and two daughters so the city had to be destroyed.
But first Lot and family would have to be taken to safety in the city of Zoar. He actually had to arrive there before Sodom's destruction started. They had to "escape for their lives". Now the point of this message is what Lot's wife did and did not do. The angels instructed Lot, his wife and two daughters not to look back once they left the city. They were to obey this command and only look forward. This was a clear and distinct direct instruction given to all of them.
On their way into Zoar, at some point, Lot's wife (we were never given her name) stopped and turned around and looked back at the city under destruction. She was immediately turned into a pillar of salt. This particular account has applicability in our lives today. Once we start to follow the Lord He tells us we are not to look back into our previous ways – in the world. We are instead to follow Him wholeheartedly with no desire for what once entrapped us – worldly lusts, passions, greed, etc. In fact, look what our Lord says about this looking back thing…
"Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”" -Luke 9:62 (ESV)
This is extremely straight forward for all of us to consider daily if we are in any way turning back to anything of the world – to fall back on, to dwell on with more desire than the Lord God. When you read the last few verses in Luke 9, you will discover some of the excuses people gave Jesus for not wanting to go (follow) Him. One said I gotta go and bury my father. Notice Jesus' reply… Another said, I've got to go and say goodbye to my family. He said more or less, these excuses are worth nothing for if you say you will follow me then nothing should stand in the say. Did you get that friends? Nothing in this world including our own family should prevent us from looking constantly at Him and following Him in righteous and holy living with our eyes steadfastly fixed on Him.
If we don't then we are not worthy or fit for the kingdom of God. Did you get that?
"Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him." -1 John 2:15 (HCSB)
We are instructed in no uncertain terms to not look [back] to the world for our longing, security, trust, strength or faith. Nothing of this world! We are to keep on keeping on towards the Lord. Anything thing else is not acceptable. There are very terrible times coming in mass and if you focus on the world for your strength and security you will fall; your trust and faith will not be strong enough to see you through. Only by learning to keep your eyes focused on the road ahead trusting in Jesus on a daily basis will you be able to stand firm in the last days. Your eyes must be open and clearly focused on Him and nothing else.
Please read God's word and dig deep into what He is telling you through the council of the Holy Spirit. My words here are meant to edify and build up but His words are life – John 6:63. Read and prove what I'm saying here is right or wrong – Acts 17:11 – but read, study and immerse yourself in God's word. Be ready for now, be ready for what's to come. Be ready in your faith and trust in the Lord alone.
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." -1 Cor 15:58 (ESV)
-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman
"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" -2 Peter 3:11-12
DO NOT SHRINK BACK!
