Lot

8So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

10Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:12Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. (Genesis 13:8-13) 

1The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2“My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.”

“No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”

3But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. 4Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

6Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. (Genesis 18:1-6) 

Thoughts: Lot chose his land by sight.  Abraham chose his land trusting in the Lord.  There is no doubt Lot was a believer, but his lack of faith got him in trouble.  The land that looked so good on the surface was overrun by enemies and Abraham had to come and rescue his nephew.  The people of the land he chose were wicked people. Lot did not ask about the character of the people, he just saw green pastures and foolishly ignored the rest.
    However, when God sent angels, Lot offered them hospitality.  He was kind and compassionate.  God did not spare the city for Lot, but He did rescue Lot.  It seemed God was continually getting Lot out of trouble that he made by poor decision making.  Yet Lot remained faithful in a wicked city.  He held onto his faith.  That is the witness and example we need to follow today.  Though all around us fall and mess up- our standard is not them but our Lord. 

Prayer: Help me to follow you way and to listen to you in my decision making.