12 The two men said to Lot, “If you have anyone else here — sons, daughters, sons-in-law, or any other relatives living in the city — get them out of here, 13 because we are going to destroy this place. The Lord has heard the terrible accusations against these people and has sent us to destroy Sodom.”14 Then Lot went to the men that his daughters were going to marry, and said, “Hurry up and get out of here; the Lord is going to destroy this place.” But they thought he was joking.15 At dawn the angels tried to make Lot hurry. “Quick!” they said. “Take your wife and your two daughters and get out, so that you will not lose your lives when the city is destroyed.” 16 Lot hesitated. The Lord, however, had pity on him; so the men took him, his wife, and his two daughters by the hand and led them out of the city. Genesis 19:12–16 GNT
Trust In God Through Dire Situations
The situation was dire. Lot and his family were holed up in their home, seeking shelter from an angry mob. The city of Sodom was on the brink of destruction. It didn’t seem like there was any way out.
Except there was. In the form of two visiting angels, God handed Lot a lifeline.
“Leave now!,” they urged him. “Run and don’t look back, and your family will be spared.”
Stay and face certain death. Leave and live. It should have been an easy decision. A no brainer. Yet, instead of fleeing for his life, Lot did something else.
He hesitated.
Don’t Hesitate
Lingered, delayed, dragged his feet. Whatever translation of Genesis 19: 16 you read, the sentiment is the same. At the sheer enormity of what God was asking him to do, Lot froze.
It almost seems ridiculous to hesitate at such a moment. When the path to safety seems so obvious, the road ahead so clear. And yet, how many of us do the same? Our scenario may not be as extreme, but there are times when we too respond to God’s commands with the same kind of trepidation and paralyzing fear. Like Lot, we freeze.
The situation seems too overwhelming, too difficult. The cost too high. And so we hit pause. We stay where we are. Standing on the precipice of the familiar and the unknown. Clinging to our safety net, unable to take the leap of faith that God has asked of us. A leap into a future that He has planned for us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.
Even when the outcome seems overwhelming or uncertain, we can unequivocally put our trust in a God who holds our future in His hands. Who has orchestrated a divine plan for our good and His glory. Who knows just what we need, before we even know it ourselves. Who always gives us a way out.
Mercifully Lot’s story didn’t end there. Instead God took control, taking action when Lot could not. Using His messengers to drag him and his family to safety. It all could have ended so very differently. All because of a pause. A hesitation in following the will of God, a failure to trust in God’s provision and care.
Don’t let this be your story today. Instead, trust in God, whose ways are higher than our own. Fix your eyes on Him and follow His plan, wherever it may take you. Your very future may depend on it.
This devotion originally appeared on Devotable written by Vicki Bentley
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