God does not have a "Plan B"

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11

Most everyone can think of a time in his/her life when a choice was presented of which the outcome would vastly alter the course of his/her future. You may even be able to think of a time in your recent past when a choice you made had that very effect. Some people go through life with "regrets", wishing he/she had a certain choice to make all over again; and, if so, he/she would have chose an entirely different outcome.

The fact of the matter is we encounter situations on a daily basis where the choices we make change the course of the day. Some are so small we barely even notice them - the smile we pass along to a stranger - a random act of kindness to a fellow commuter on the way to work - stopping for coffee at McDonald's instead of Starbucks.

However, there are those opportunities - confrontations - temptations - trials - that present themselves to us and a "knee-jerk" reaction, a hasty decision, or even a long-contemplated choice so drastically changes the direction of our lives, one can only wonder "where would I be right now if I had chosen differently"?

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure..."- Isaiah 46:9&10 

Beloved, although we may wonder how differently our lives would be had we made a different choice; maybe even stating "if I only knew then what I know now", God never has in the past, nor will He ever have to do so in the future. One of the distinct characteristics that make Him God is the fact He in omniscient - He knows everything - past, present and future. He created this universe knowing its end from the very beginning. He knows exactly where you are today, where you will be tomorrow, and where you will be at the end of days.

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love..." - Ephesians 1:4

There are countless souls that have fell by the wayside because of the lie from Satan declaring that they have went too far - that he/she has messed up too big or committed some sin so heinous that God has wrote him/her off and that there is no hope. Some have even been deceived into believing that God, in His infinite mercy, will still allow them into heaven; however, the original plan/calling He had for them has been "lost" or "changed" into a plan/calling of a smaller nature or lesser impact. Beloved, these are lies from the devil that have no truth in them whatsoever!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified,them he also glorified." - Romans 8:28-30.

By the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, we will address the issue of "predestination". According to the scriptures stated above, predestination is a valid doctrine found in the Word of God. However, we must dispel the idea of predestination according to the old Puritan belief - one that dictates that everyone is born either going to heaven or going to hell and nothing that person can do will change that. A better word would be "predetermination". God has a predetermined plan for each believer's life that will ultimately end at the foot of His throne.

Imagine a person planning a trip from New York to Los Angeles. This person will have to make several choices regarding the trip. There are several routes that person could take - routes that would contain different sites, different locales in which to eat, spend the night, etc. Then, there is also the "unforeseen" obstacles and delays that person will encounter on the way to Los Angeles - road construction, flat tires, mechanical problems, etc. Then, throw into that equation an enemy that does not want to see this person reach the destination, placing along the route distractions, detours, and problems - hoping to make this person give up the trip due to frustration, long delays, costly problems. The person planning the trip from New York to Los Angeles will have to make several choices on how to react to the unforeseen delays, obstacles, changes in the route that is taken. This person could choose to turn back, determining the trip is "not worth it". "too hard", not what he/she "thought it would be like", etc. Or, if the person is determined to make it, despite the problems and delays, that person would eventually reach the destination if he/she chooses not to give up.

God has a "predetermined" plan for every believer that leads from the cross to the throne. Of course, there will been unforeseen delays, obstacles, and choices to make while on this journey. And Satan will do everything God will allow to upset the believer, hinder the believer, attempting to cause the believer to determine the journey is "not worth it", "too hard", not what we "thought it would be like". But if the believer is determined to make it to heaven, the grace of God will assure the believer gets home if he/she does not give up.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ..." - Philippians 1:6

Now, let's consider the lie so many believers have fell victim to of messing things up so bad that God has "wrote them off' or "changed the plan"....remember...."whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son," (Romans 8:29). As God knew the end from the beginning, so also He knew His children before they were even born! And God chose them based on that foreknowledge. God created Adam - knowing Adam would eat the forbidden fruit, God called Abraham - knowing Abraham was an habitual liar, God chose Jacob - knowing Jacob would steal his brother's birthright and blessing, God anointed David - knowing David would commit adultery, God chose Thomas - knowing Thomas was a sceptic, God chose Paul - knowing he would first be Saul the Persecutor, and the list goes on.....

But one of the best illustrations for our topic today is Peter. Peter....the "maverick" disciple of New Testament Christianity - the first one to walk on the water with Jesus - the first one to proclaim Jesus as the "Messiah, the Son of the living God" - the first one to preach the Gospel on the day of Pentecost - the first one to declare to Jesus, "I will lay down my life for thy sake."(John 13:37). But we must remember....he was also Peter - the one who was rebuked by Paul for being a hypocrite - the one who was openly rebuked by Jesus for speaking under the influence of Satan - and the one who denied even knowing the Lord three times on the night Jesus was betrayed.

God not only shared Peter's greatest moments of faith for all to read; but He also paraded Peter's greatest moments of failure for all to read as well. We may wonder why does God show His most devoted servants in their greatest victories, only to show us their greatest moments of failure and weakness on the very next page. It is not because God gets any satisfaction from seeing His children reflected in the worse light of humanity. It is to teach His children a truth that will grant them one of the greatest victories in the walk of life.

Doubtless, Peter meant every word he stated to Jesus on the night Jesus declared that all would forsake him. Peter was truly sincere when he told the Lord he would rather die with Him than live without Him. Jesus knew Peter would deny Him, would swear away his Galilean heritage to save his own neck. As a matter of fact, Jesus knew Peter would do this very thing when He called Peter to follow Him the very first time - and He still chose him. But after denying His Lord three times, Peter thought all was lost - that he had committed a betrayal even worst than Judas had - and had it not been for the fact that Jesus had prayed for Peter, this failure would have driven Peter in his despair to react to his shame and disgrace the very same way that Judas had done. But it was the choice Peter had to make during his greatest confrontation that we want to focus on -

"This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." - John 21:14-17.
Many sermons have been preached regarding the scriptures stated above. Many have stated that the reason Jesus had to ask Peter three times. "Do you love me?", is because Peter denied the Lord three times. This may be true. But the greatest message we should glean from this confrontation is one you may never have heard before. Jesus was giving Peter a choice - a choice that would govern his faith the rest of his life. And it would also give Peter one of the greatest weapons of warfare against the enemy in the days and years to come. "Peter, do you still love me? Then feed my sheep. Peter, do you understand? Peter, will you believe? - Despite your failure, My love for you is still the same. Despite your betrayal, My plan for you has not changed. Regardless of the fact that you feel as if you have committed a sin that now disqualifies you, My plan for your life is still the same."
"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." - Romans 11:29.
Beloved, don't believe the lie of Satan - that you have "went too far" and cannot come back - that even if you do return, "it will never be the same". That because of your faults, your failures, your horrible mess up, that even if you make it to heaven, there will only be some sort of "consolation" prize waiting for you. "Don't you understand? Will you believe? " The plan and calling God has for your life has not changed. It has been and always will be the same. The plan and calling God had for you the day you were saved is the same one He will have for you the day you die!

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." - Psalm 37:23 & 24.

A word from the Lord for all you "misfits" out there - "Rejoice and lift those heads that hang low - for I am the Lord, and I still love you! I have still called you for My purpose! You are still My Beloved. You are still My son! You are still My daughter! And My plan for you is still the same!"
Beloved, the real victory is not showing up in heaven with a flawless record - free from battle scars, failures, self-inflicted wounds - it is that, despite the battle scars, despite the failures, despite the self-inflicted wounds -we still made it home! So rejoice in the Lord always...and again, I say rejoice! 

"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:33-39.

Beloved, God has no "Plan B"!

The Heart-Covenant Relationship with God (Part One)

Why Adam chose Eve -

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1&2.

In part three of the last series posted on this blog entitled "Your Storehouse of Faith", Watchmen Ministries expounded on the steps/tools available to all believers that one can use to prepare himself/herself to be able to face what the very near future holds and "endure to the end". Remember, these step/tools, though fundamental in nature and prescription, must be used by a believer whose desire is to have a more meaningful relationship with God. Every person wishing to "present himself/herself as a living sacrifice" that will be "holy and acceptable to God" must intentionally put these steps/tools into practice, especially in these last days.

This particular message will address, as promised in the last blog, the most important step/tool needed to insure the believer a relationship that goes beyond that of the average Christian. But, unlike the previously mentioned steps/tools, this one can only be administered and imparted into the believer's life by a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. That is, the aforementioned steps/tools are used by an intentional decision made by the believer; whereas, this tool is used solely by the hand of God alone. After all, He is "the author and finisher of our faith" - what started in a believer's life originated with Him, and must be completed by Him as well.

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." - John 17:20-24.

This prayer was prayed by our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the night He was betrayed and His journey to the cross began. He prayed it while in the Garden of Gethsemane, a garden right outside of the city that was a favored place that Jesus and His disciples used for prayer and devotional time. The word "Gethsemane" means "olive-press" - a place where olives were gathered, then the precious oil contained within the olives was "pressed" out of the olive under great pressure. How fitting and prophetic that Jesus yielded Himself in that very garden to the "pressing" that would bring forth the precious fluid that would redeem our lives!

Notice that the prayer Jesus made to the Father for the disciples (and us) was so that "they may be made perfect (complete)". Although the disciples had spent the last three and a half years with Jesus - had developed a real relationship with Him - had become the first "believers", their faith was still not "perfect"....still not "complete". Jesus knew what was in store for the lives of His disciples in the very near future. He realized what each would have to endure for making a conscious decision to follow Him. And He also knew that for any believer to endure and his/her faith not fail them, the relationship that they currently possessed would have to transcend to a relationship like the one He had with the Father, namely, the "heart-covenant" relationship.

What is the "heart-covenant" relationship? To understand it....we must go back - all the way back - back to where it all began; and it began, unmistakably, in another garden....the Garden of Eden....where the decision Adam made determined the destiny of all mankind....and Adam made his decision based on a "heart-covenant" relationship. This decision - made by the first Adam in the Garden of Eden - the one that determined the fate of the whole human race - would be the same decision the "second Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45) would have to make in the Garden of Gethsemane - and, incredibly, both made the same choice! Find this too incredible to believe? Then, please, read on....

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat....And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return....And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." - Genesis 3:1-12, 17-19, 22-24.

....And, thus, was the fate of all mankind decided - by a choice. It has been stated that the most powerful thing in the universe is love. Not true. At least, not the type of love that is conjured up by the means of man....a love that is more emotional, more visceral, than the true definition of love taught within the Holy Word of God. Jesus commands his disciples to love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44)....so it is obvious true love is not an emotion, but a choice. The most powerful thing in the universe, even outside the universe into the realm where God dwells, is choice. And, though it was Eve who first chose....it was Adam's choice that sealed the fate for us all. Why? Because Eve's choice was based on deception; while Adam's choice was not. The scriptures above state, "....The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." (Genesis 3:13)....so, while Eve was "beguiled", Adam made his choice with his "eyes wide open".... knowing what the consequences of his decision would be.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price (value), went and sold all that he had, and bought it." - Matthew 13:44-46.

Adam understood what the cost would be to heed his wife's offer - to choose the eat of the fruit that God had instructed not to eat of - to willingly disobey God's commandment. Still, Adam chose.....chose exile from Paradise....chose separation from God....chose to give up his relationship with the Father. Why? Simply stated....because Adam "valued" his relationship with Eve more than his relationship with God.

The "value" of something depends on the one who possesses it, or has a desire to possess it. It is possible for something to have extreme "value" to one person; and, at the same time, little value to others. And that "value" is directly related to what it costs. The more something costs, the more "value" is placed on it. This holds true for everything - objects, animals, people, lives. One is willing to do almost anything, pay anything, give up anything, sacrifice anything for whatever he/she values. Sadly, the opposite also applies....what we do not "value" gets neglected, forgotten, misused, abused, thrown away....objects, animals, people, lives.

Adam "valued" his relationship with Eve over his relationship with God because the relationship he possessed with Eve cost him more than the relationship he possessed with God. As a matter of fact, the relationship he had with God cost Adam nothing - God had handed it to him on a "silver platter". God formed Adam from the dust of the earth....God breathed into Adam the breathe of life....God placed Adam in Paradise....God walked with Adam in the cool of the day. God had supplied and met everything Adam could ever need, want, or desire....that is, until Adam became lonely.

"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him....And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." - Genesis 2:18, 21-24.

The reason that Adam placed more value on the relationship he had with Eve over that of God is because it actually cost Adam something. Adam sacrificed part of himself for Eve. Adam was "scarred" for Eve. Adam bore in himself the "marks" of the price he paid for Eve. And when Eve was brought to Adam and the first marriage took place....at the consummation of the marriage, a "covenant" relationship was forged because blood was shed and now both bore the "marks" of the "covenant" relationship. No so with the relationship Adam had with God - no "marks" had yet been made....no "scars" did either side yet possess....no blood had yet been shed....so it was not a "covenant" relationship.

"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." - Isaiah 29:13&14.

There was a relationship between God and Adam; however, just as the one between Jesus and His disciples during the first three and a half years, it was not a "covenant" relationship - it was a "symbiotic" relationship. Webster's Dictionary defines symbiosis as, "the living together in more or less intimate association or close union of two dissimilar organisms (as in parasitism)". Most Christians have this particular type of relationship with God due to the fact that it so closely resembles a "more or less" intimate union that - because it satisfies the needs, wants, and desires of the recipient - the Christian doesn't realize that he/she is has made Jesus the"host" of his/her life - drawing from Him the "nutrients" needed for sustaining a spiritual life - instead of making Him "Lord" where both individuals receive the benefit of the relationship.

Beloved, there is no real "value" in the "parasitic" type of relationship so many Christians have with God. So, just as Adam, when a circumstance, situation, or decision presents itself in the believer's life where the believer must consider the "cost" - that believer's loyalty to the relationship is put to the test and he/she discovers if He is actually the "Lord" Jesus or, merely, the "Host" Jesus. It is the desire of God to develop the relationship He has with His children to the point where it becomes a "covenant" relationship. And this will only be accomplished through the ministry of the Holy Spirit....

"And he (the Holy Spirit) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" - Ephesians 4:11-13.

Because the relationship Adam had with God was a "symbiotic" one - one that cost him nothing; and the relationship he had with Eve was a "covenant" relationship, one of more "value" - Adam made a choice....He would rather give up Paradise than his bride....He would rather live a cursed life with her.... than an eternity without her....Adam chose Eve.

How does one discover if he/she has a "covenant" relationship with God vs. a "parasitical" one?

How is the decision Jesus made in the Garden of Gethsemane similar to the one Adam made in the Garden of Eden?

How does the God cause the relationship most believers have with Him to transcend into a "heart-covenant" relationship?

These questions will be addressed in Part Two of this message - The Cost of a "Heart-Covenant" Relationship with God.

Until then......God Bless!

The Hour Before the Hour (Part Two) -

Why Lot’s Wife Looked Back – The Danger of Being “Tethered” to this World –

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot: they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, the builded; But that same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

"Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife." - Luke 17: 26-32.

If someone says, “Don’t look now … "while gazing over your shoulder, what's your natural response?

To look, of course.

Nearly 4,000 years ago, a woman known only by her husband's name ignored the same advice—"Don't look back" (Genesis 19:17) — and turned from a pillar in the community into a pillar that became a signpost for future generations, showing what happens when human nature collides with divine instruction.

Two angels in the guise of men arrived in nefarious Sodom one evening, determined to lead Lot's family to safety before wiping the ancient city off the planet, since “the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord" (Genesis 13:13).

Angels at Work -

At dawn they urged Lot, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away" (Genesis 19:15). The need for speed was clear, and so was impending disaster.

Alas, he who hesitates is Lot. Undaunted, the angels grabbed Lot and his family by the hands “and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them" (Genesis 19:16).

I shake my head, befuddled by God's boundless grace toward this mulish man and his silent but stubborn family. What’s their problem, Lord? Why couldn't they see you were trying to save them?

Flee! -

Back in Sodom, our foursome headed for the city gates, where they were told, “Flee for your lives!" (Genesis 19:17).

Centuries later the apostle Paul used the same word: “flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18), "flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10:14), and “flee the evil desires of youth" (2 Timothy 2:22). We get flee—though it's certainly easier to say than obey.

Reluctant Lot and his family were told, “Don’t look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain!" (Genesis 19:17). Simple enough. When the Lord “rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah" (Genesis 19:24), the family was sheltered from the maelstrom.

A Fatal Exception -

"But … " So much hinges on that small word. “But Lot's wife looked back … " (Genesis 19:26).

We wonder, Why? Did she have a rebellious heart, chafing against the simplest of commands? A grieving heart, mourning lost family and friends? A foolish heart, longing for the material goods she left behind?

This we know: Despite much whining and gnashing of teeth, Lot obeyed God; however quiet she might have been, Mrs. Lot defied God.

Her story ends as abruptly as her life did — "she became a pillar of salt" (Genesis 19:26) — yet her example lives on: Choose wisely. Choose well. “Choose life and not death!" (2 Kings 18:32).

Digging Deeper –

This is one of the shortest verses in the Bible: Luke 17:32, “Remember Lot’s wife.”

It is also a very strange verse in that we would normally be encouraged to remember people who achieved greatness or did great exploits for God. But Lot’s wife never did anything great. In fact, we know nothing about her and do not read anything about her until she turned around to look at Sodom burning. We don’t even know her name – she is just “Lot’s wife.”

Jesus tells us to remember her in the context of the warnings about the soon return of our Lord. Jesus also draws a number of parallels between the time of Lot and the time when the He will return. He speaks about the fact that people will be going about their daily living and will be oblivious to the fact that sudden destruction is about to come upon them. He then warns about the danger of turning back like Lot’s wife did.

One wonders about this woman. Who was she and what was so bad about her that the Lord would use her as such a negative example for all eternity?

We read in Genesis 13 that Lot moved ever closer towards Sodom until he lived inside that evil city. Genesis 19:1 records that he was sitting in the gate of the city. This seems to imply that he was serving on the city council of that terrible place. Yet, Peter says: “…righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” - 2 Peter 2:7...

There appears to be a contradiction in that Lot chose to move towards the city, eventually living in it, while he is vexed by their wickedness. So why did he not just move out? And why did he move there in the first place? Maybe the answer lies with his wife. Maybe it was she who craved the city lights and maybe it was because of her, and in spite of his personal misgivings, that Lot lived in Sodom.

That would certainly explain the powerful hold the city had over her -- to the extent that she could not let go of it, even though the angels had physically removed her from the place. The angels specifically commanded them “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you…” (Genesis 19:17). “But his wife looked back behind him” (Genesis 19:26). She could not let go of the pleasures, comfort and excitement of the evil city; and even though her body had been dragged out of Sodom, her heart remained there and she looked back with longing and desire.

Many years later the children of Israel would do the same thing: They would constantly look back at Egypt and desire the things that they had left behind (Numbers 11:5, 14:3,4).They had clearly forgotten the lesson of Lot’s wife and like her, had become ungrateful for the Lord’s salvation, and rather wanted the carnal pleasures of their former home.

So, in the New Testament, we are urged to remember Lot’s wife and not to look back towards that from which we have been saved. But it remains an unfortunate human trait to want to return to the things we have been saved from. This is because our minds tend to forget the bad things and to only remember the good of our former lives. The Israelites could not remember the whips of the slave drivers and only remembered the fish, leeks, garlic and onions that they ate in Egypt. Likewise, we often forget the guilt, shame, bondage and frustrations of our lives before Christ and we only remember the passing pleasures of sin.

These words of our Savior Jesus, spoken in Luke, are an admonition to His disciples about how they should react to the conditions that would be prevalent before His second. His first-century disciples are long dead, but the warning still applies to us today as we see the end of this age approaching. If we are to remember Lot’s, we need to review what happened in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Five cities, Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela (Zoar) dotted the Plain of Jordan, now a desolate waste at the southern end of the Dead Sea (Genesis 14:2, 8). Evidently, Sodom and Gomorrah were the chief two of these five cities, situated in a beautiful, verdant valley “like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar" (Genesis 13:10). In this fertile plain, Lot chose to settle after he had separated from his uncle Abraham, even though he knew “the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD" (verse 13).

Several years later, God visited Abraham and revealed His intention to destroy the cities of the plain because their sin had grown “very grievous" (Genesis 18:20). As He had done at the time of the Flood, God knew that His only just and merciful recourse was to destroy them. Abraham pleaded for the lives of Lot and his family, and God graciously agreed to spare Sodom if only ten righteous people were there (verse 32).

Lot, being a righteous man (II Peter 2:7), recognized the angels whom God had sent and offered them his hospitality, knowing how dangerous it was for strangers to be in public once the sun went down. His fears were well founded, for the perverted men of the city surrounded his house and brazenly demanded that Lot surrender the two angels to them so they could molest them (Genesis 19:4-5). Their depravity was so deep that both old and young, rich and poor, participated in this grotesque riot.

In a moment of weakness, Lot tried to appease the mob by offering his own daughters to them, but this only roused them against him. When they became physically violent, the angels pulled Lot inside and struck the Sodomites with blindness. After a while, tired of searching for the door to Lot's house, the crowd dispersed (verses 6-11).

Having witnessed Sodom's depravity, the angels advised Lot to take his entire family out of the city. “For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it" (verse 13). However, though Lot tried to convince them, his sons-in-law thought he was joking and refused to leave (verse 14).

Although he had seen the perversions first-hand, Lot failed to grasp the urgency of his situation, and the angels literally had to pull him, his wife and two daughters out of the city by hand (verse 16)! Still hesitant, Lot convinced the angels to allow them to flee to Zoar rather than the nearby mountains because he was afraid “some evil" would befall him (verses 19-22). One of the angels charged him, however, with two commands: 1) "Do not look behind you “and 2) do not "stay anywhere in the plain" (verse 17).

When Lot entered Zoar, "the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens" (verse 24). All the cities of the plain were destroyed except Zoar (verse 25), maybe because of Lot's faithless request. Yet just before she reached her place of safety—though she had made some effort to escape the impending disaster—Lot's wife disobeyed the angel's command and looked back. "She became a pillar of salt" (verse 26).

Why Look Back? -

Why did she look back? The context does not specifically give a reason, but she probably had an inordinate love for the world and the material things she had in Sodom. Obviously, Lot was a wealthy man who had enough livestock and servants to cause a problem while he lived with Abraham (Genesis 13:5-7). He and his wife may have had a palatial house with many fine furnishings, servants to do her bidding, fine clothes, sumptuous food and frequent entertainment.

Also, Lot had achieved prominence among the citizens of Sodom beyond his wealth. Genesis shows him sitting in the gate of the city, a place usually reserved for the elders and judges. Lot's wife may have been reconsidering her decision to forsake the privileges of her high social status and her prominent friends.

Maybe she just loved the ways of this more than God. John writes:

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” - 1 John 2:15-17.

There may be more to it, however, than we have thought. Most people assume that Lot had only two daughters, but this is not the case. He says to the Sodomites, "See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man" (Genesis 19:8). He had two unmarried daughters. Later, in verse 14, he "spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters," meaning he had other married daughters who were not virgins. Finally, the angels tell him, "Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here" (verse 15), implying he had daughters elsewhere.

Since Lot and his wife had more than two daughters, they left more than just material possessions in the city. When God rained down fire and brimstone upon Sodom, their married daughters and sons-in-law — and possibly grandchildren — perished with the rest of the city's populace. What a poignant and tragic test of their faith!

Thus, when Lot's wife fled for little Zoar, her wealth, her house and her social circle were not the only things on her mind. Those concerns were insignificant beside the certain death of her flesh and blood. Perhaps she did not believe that God would follow through on His threat. As a loving mother, her emotions for her doomed family in the city clouded her ability to make proper decisions.

Jesus makes a pertinent comment in this regard in Matthew

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”- Matthew 10:3-39.

Though it goes against our human nature, God requires us to have more allegiance to Him than to the members of our own families. For His disciples, leaving family members behind to do God's will may be the most common hardship that they have to face as they come out of this world (Revelation 18:4). Perhaps this is why He reminds us to "remember Lot's wife. “The day may soon come when we will have to heed God's warnings without hesitation to flee again.

"In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back” - Luke 17:31.

When God commands His elect to flee to a place of safety, many of us will be required to entrust unconverted family members to God's mercy. Without doubt, this will be the greatest test of our spiritual lives. We will know that before us lies life and hope and behind us death and destruction, just as Lot and his family experienced in fleeing Sodom.

Lot’s wife did not actually turn back, she just looked back, but that was so serious in God’s eyes that He killed her instantly and turned her into a pillar of salt. Sometimes we feel that looking back (with longing) is not so serious, as long as we don’t actually turn back. However to the Lord, looking back is very bad. The reason is because even though we continue to walk in the right direction, our hearts are still back in the world, and in so-doing we contaminate everyone else around us with our lack of commitment. It was a small minority amongst the people of Israel who were ungrateful for the Lord’s provision and deliverance and they infected the rest of the people until all Israel were grumbling against the Lord (Numbers 11:4-5). In the same way a small group who are not committed can discourage a whole church or group of believers.

Jesus said: “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). That’s a very strong statement but confirms God’s judgment of Lot’s wife. There is simply no room amongst the Lord’s people for those who are constantly complaining and longing for the former days. In South Africa, immigrants from a particular country are called “whenwe”s because one of the phrases they use most frequently is “when we… were back in the old country.” Spiritual whenwe’s may not often speak about their former life, but they certainly think about it often enough. God says “if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:38).

Sodom-like Today -

We live in a land today where sin is discussed and displayed daily. Some of our own major cities could easily compare to Sodom or Gomorrah because of their blatant depravity. Even some of our smaller cities and towns have homosexual mayors and commissioners who flaunt their perversions in public. “Gay rights" is a major social concern to those who practice such degeneracy.

Though sexual corruption is the sin most associated with Sodom, the people of that city displayed other evil traits. Ezekiel lists some of their other sins:

“Look, this is the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.”- Ezekiel 16:49 & 50.

The Sodomites also resorted to violence quickly when they were crossed.

Within the Western industrialized world, the United States not only is the undisputed leader in murder, but in rape as well.

Consider, too, where the United States ranks in comparison with the rest of the industrialized world. We are at, or near, the top in rates of abortions, divorces, and unwed births. We lead the industrialized world in murder, rape, and violent crime.

Our society is certainly similar to the one into which Lot led his family. In his selfishness and greed, he purposely chose to expose his children and servants to the depravity of Sodom where Satan lay in wait like a hungry lion (I Peter 5:8). We, already living in Satan's world, are commanded, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4). God wants us to make strides to overcome the ungodly practices that we have absorbed from “this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4).

A Future Test? –

Sometime in the not-too-distant future, we will be tested as Lot and his family was. When God calls for us to flee, we may have family members living hundreds of miles away. Children may be at college in another state. A spouse may be away on a business trip—or a few miles away at work. Will we have the faith to put those family members' lives in God's hands and leave without hesitation? Are we convinced that God will provide a way of escape for us as well as them? If we really trust God, even though we cannot see the future clearly, we have nothing to fear.

Jesus stands in stark contrast to Lot’s wife. Having left His glory and having been born as a man, He certainly had much to look back to. Yet, He set His face steadfastly, and unflinchingly towards Jerusalem and the cross (Isaiah 50:7; Luke 9:51). Paul showed the same determination to complete his work and to fulfill every aspect of his call, no matter how high the cost. So, let’s stop thinking about how good it was in the world and how hard it is to serve the Lord. Let’s fix our eyes on the hope set before us, forget that which is behind and lets press towards the mark for the high call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).

The Truth:

“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire” – 2 Peter 2:20-22.

Today, on Jebel Usdum (Hill of Sodom) on the Dead Sea's western shore, stands a pillar of salt known as "Lot's Wife." This monument is a perpetual reminder of a woman who allowed her human nature to turn her from the express command of God. In a critical moment she took her eyes off the goal. Christ warns that we cannot allow the same to happen to us.

We have an even greater goal than our physical safety, and because our eternal life is at stake, we must always keep it as our first priority. As Paul says in Philippians 3:13-15:

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind.”