“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26).
The city was just as busy as on any ordinary day. People were buying and selling. They were having fun; living an utterly depraved life. There was not a single sign that the destruction was coming near. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah lived their lives full of sexual depravity. Incest, homosexuality, and other sins that God despised spread all around. God decided to destroy everyone who lived in these two cities except for the family of Lot. However, Lot, his wife, and their two daughters showed hesitancy when they were called to come out of the city. They did not want to leave this place. They lamented over what they had; mourning over what they thought they might be losing. Maybe they thought that God would not destroy these cities so soon.
The angels had to pull them by their hands to come out of the city, instructing them, “Don’t look back and don’t stop walking.” But when they were a short distance from the city, Mrs. Lot turned around to look at the place that she loved, for one last time. She never realized the high price that she would have to pay for not obeying. As she turned around to look, Mrs. Lot became a pillar of salt. Lot witnessed his wife standing lifeless. His heart was mourning for her, but he had to run on to keep his life safe. Mrs. Lot’s statue was buried in the fire storm.
Warnings from God may become a reality at any given moment. He never gives us a warning and then forgets or does not carry it out. So, let us not disregard the things that God prohibits. The warnings regarding sins contained in the Bible should not be taken lightly because we will have to pay the consequences. Sometimes, we sin but do not instantly see the correction from God. Because of the delay in consequences, we may think that God allows us to continue to sin, or He does not intent to punish. God does not act instantly all the times like in the situation of Lot’s wife. Today, God is slow in punishing us because He is giving us a chance to repent. Obeying God is the smartest way to live.
When we walk with God, do not let our minds be attached to earthly things. Let’s learn what God wants us to get rid of!
Pastor Thoai Duong
