Genesis 19:26
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, we see him instructing them not to look back but to keep their eyes fixed on the prize that is Jesus Christ. This reminds me of a story found in Genesis, where we see Lot and his wife. If you know it at all, you know that Lot's wife did look back even though the Lord commanded them not to.
In Genesis 19, we see two cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, that were known for their extreme wickedness. God sent angels to rescue Lot and his family before judgment came, when God would rain down fire on the cities. As they were leaving, the angels warned them in verse 17, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” God's instruction through the angels was clear, do not look back. This command was not just for their physical saving, but also for spiritual preservation. Looking back could cause regret, longing for what was left behind, or even doubt of God's judgment.
Despite the warning, Lot's wife disobeyed and decided to look back. She couldn't resist looking back for whatever reason it might have been. When she looked back, she instantly became a pillar of salt. If only she had listened to the Lord instead, she would've been safe. We see that obedience matters to God. Even Jesus refers back to Lot's wife as an example in Luke 17:32 as a warning against turning back from a life of faith. May we heed this warning from Genesis and Jesus in our own lives as well!
When I was younger, we grew up in a neighborhood. It was like one giant rounded square. We would ride our bikes around the loop all the time. One day, all the neighborhood kids and I decided to have a bike race around the neighborhood. It would only be one lap; who would be the fastest? We created our finish line and got ready to go. Someone announced the race, and we all started pedaling as fast as we could. By the halfway mark, I was smoking everyone. I started to round the last corner and went into the homestretch to the finish line. I wanted to see how far back my friends were and how big my lead was. So, I looked back. I continued down the straightaway, looking back to see where everyone was, and there was no one to be found. I was winning by a long shot. Little did I know that looking back would be a grave mistake. With my head turned back, looking for my friends, I was going as fast as I could. All of a sudden, I crashed right into a parked car while going full speed. I was in complete shock at what had happened. It had stopped me completely in my tracks. I had no idea where the car had come from since I was looking back. I completely missed what was in front of me. Luckily, I was able to walk away with no real injuries, but I had put a good-sized hole in the bumper with my bike.
If there is anything to learn or to focus on today, do not look back. Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. Flee from the temptation to look back on life and how it might have been better at another time. Do not long for what is behind, but instead long for Jesus. Long to be with Him for eternity. That is the real prize.
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, we see him instructing them not to look back but to keep their eyes fixed on the prize that is Jesus Christ. This reminds me of a story found in Genesis, where we see Lot and his wife. If you know it at all, you know that Lot's wife did look back even though the Lord commanded them not to.
In Genesis 19, we see two cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, that were known for their extreme wickedness. God sent angels to rescue Lot and his family before judgment came, when God would rain down fire on the cities. As they were leaving, the angels warned them in verse 17, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” God's instruction through the angels was clear, do not look back. This command was not just for their physical saving, but also for spiritual preservation. Looking back could cause regret, longing for what was left behind, or even doubt of God's judgment.
Despite the warning, Lot's wife disobeyed and decided to look back. She couldn't resist looking back for whatever reason it might have been. When she looked back, she instantly became a pillar of salt. If only she had listened to the Lord instead, she would've been safe. We see that obedience matters to God. Even Jesus refers back to Lot's wife as an example in Luke 17:32 as a warning against turning back from a life of faith. May we heed this warning from Genesis and Jesus in our own lives as well!
When I was younger, we grew up in a neighborhood. It was like one giant rounded square. We would ride our bikes around the loop all the time. One day, all the neighborhood kids and I decided to have a bike race around the neighborhood. It would only be one lap; who would be the fastest? We created our finish line and got ready to go. Someone announced the race, and we all started pedaling as fast as we could. By the halfway mark, I was smoking everyone. I started to round the last corner and went into the homestretch to the finish line. I wanted to see how far back my friends were and how big my lead was. So, I looked back. I continued down the straightaway, looking back to see where everyone was, and there was no one to be found. I was winning by a long shot. Little did I know that looking back would be a grave mistake. With my head turned back, looking for my friends, I was going as fast as I could. All of a sudden, I crashed right into a parked car while going full speed. I was in complete shock at what had happened. It had stopped me completely in my tracks. I had no idea where the car had come from since I was looking back. I completely missed what was in front of me. Luckily, I was able to walk away with no real injuries, but I had put a good-sized hole in the bumper with my bike.
If there is anything to learn or to focus on today, do not look back. Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. Flee from the temptation to look back on life and how it might have been better at another time. Do not long for what is behind, but instead long for Jesus. Long to be with Him for eternity. That is the real prize.
Posted in Devotional