Swept Away!

"Remember Lot's wife." Luke 17:32

 

Why did Jesus remind the disciples of Lot's wife while comparing the end times to the days of Noah? He never told them to remember Moses or Abraham or even David! What was it about Lot's wife that we need to remember? 

In Genesis 19, Lot, Abraham's nephew, is told by two angels that he and his family should leave Sodom as God had sent them to destroy the city. When Lot and his family were outside the city, one of the angels clearly said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, lest you be swept away." 

Perhaps most of us would be tempted to look back, especially as the roar of fire and brimstone could certainly be heard as Sodom and Gomorrah was decimated to ashes. Alas, Lot's wife looked back and immediately was turned into a pillar of salt! (Gen. 19:26) What was her problem? She did not believe the word of God. Even if she witnessed the faith of Abraham, how he obeyed God, her heart was not converted. She looked back. Perhaps she longed for her past life, living among sinners in Sodom. Even after she was saved, part of the chosen few, she still couldn't manage to believe! 

Are we like Lot's wife? Hard headed? Longing for our favorite sins and addictions? Unwilling to move forward and let go? Do we still ignore God's calling us? God spoke to Moses in the 4th chapter of Deuteronomy, "Watch yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God....for the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Lord, there are many things in this world calling our attention. May I train my gaze in You, delighting in Your Word and in being Your daughter! May I not look back but move forward, ever pressing on towards the goal of finishing the race in victory.