September 17, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave.” (Genesis 19.30)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

If we think that our actions have no consequences, that our decisions do not truly influence others, then we would be wrong. One of Newton’s Laws of Motion include “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” While some may dismiss my assertion of action and reaction based on Newton’s Third Law of Motion because he was speaking only to objects and matter, I would contend that our decisions as human beings matter and are the object of our attention and intention both literally and figuratively. Equally, but not in opposition, even a decision to not decide is a definitively decision. While the intention may be to avoid consequences perceived as unhealthy or unwise or simply not to put oneself in a compromising position with some, that decision will impact not only the perception of others but their actions and reactions toward you. The question becomes “What consequences are we willing to endure because of our decisions to act (even if we think we are not acting at all?”

When the Two of Three came to Sodom, it was with a dual purpose. The first purpose was to investigate and respond in kind to the reported culture and climate of Sodom and Gomorrah. The initial report had come into the Court of God in Heaven of the depravity of the citizens there according to the perversion of the created nature. (Mighty ones of God, do not be confused, even the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah by birth or by immigration, were not intended to be perverse and contrary to the will of God. Yes, we are all sinners who have fallen short of the intended glory of God in our created nature. That sin changes the physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological and social DNA of every person save one, Jesus born of Mary being human and very God of very God, is a theological reality. The decision to submit to the “damaged” nature by which we are born into the world (as if we had a choice in being born) becomes the subject of the question as well as its object. We are urged not to be ruled by our “sin nature.” We must recognize it by placing ourselves alongside the rubric of God’s nature and design for every human being. Seeing what is not “of God” thus requires that we deny that which is not of God and seek to be transformed to be in control, or at least not out of control, and walk in the paths of righteousness. That we are not capable of doing this to perfection becomes the reason why we need the blessing of the Holy Spirit which comes from confessing our sin nature and professing our hope for glory with Jesus as the Christ and our Savior. Without the gospel of transformation, this would be impossible and the consequences of abiding in sin unrepented and pursued with equal measure would be eternal and negative. Here is where the scripture speaks in truth, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4.13) Mighty ones of God, this verse coincides with Jesus’ teaching the disciples to understand “What is impossible for human beings is always possible with God.” Both verses reflect one truth and that is the truth of salvation. It is not addressing our worldly activities such as work and sports and hobbies. It is speaking to our salvation and the decision to “walk by faith and not by sight.“

In today’s verse for reflection, we see the pendulum swing of Lot who simply is not grounded in faith as his uncle Abraham. One, I doubt that Abraham, if he was left by Lot’s choice to inhabit the Jordan River Valley while Lot would take the land to the right as far as the sea, would have succumbed to the “dead sea” mentality. His faith in God would have been in direct conflict with those who had chosen to follow the way of life to death without reprieve. Two, Abraham did compromise his wife (some scholars say she was his step-sister or half-sister as the daughter of his father but not of his mother) into the hands of ungodly men…twice. But, I do not think he had the intention of surrendering his wife to be abused sexually by men who had no taste for women. Did Lot know this and believe his offer of his daughters would be refused but serve to diffuse the situation? Three, Lot begged to not go to the mountains as the Two of Three directed. Instead, as we know, he opted for Zoar because it was “small.” Apparently, so was Lot small in faith, in obedience and in character. The apple must have fallen further from the tree than it did for Abraham. Living in a small town was not all it must have seemed to Lot who probably thought he would be invisible there. Hard to get away from the fact that you were from Sodom (and Gomorrah) which literally just got “smoked” by the power of Heaven even if the inhabitants of Zoar knew of God at all. Lot survived it…how? It was too much to be a big frog in a small pond. He decided to go to the mountains as was first suggested and directed. He believed that hiding in the mountains would be safer and there he found a cave in which to live with his two daughters. His consequences for isolation and for having so little consideration for the integrity of his daughters became significant as you can read in the following verses of Genesis 19.31-38. That his daughters believed so little in trusting God in a difficult and desperate situation that they would desire to get pregnant by their father demonstrates poor parenting and spiritual training by Lot. Further, in a reality check, Lot could not have been so drunk that he could not fulfill his daughter’s depraved and desperate requests. The consequences were significant as the offspring of Lot and his daughters became the enemies of Abraham and his descendants- Israel (even to this day.)

Mighty ones of God, we must pay serious attention to our actions and our decisions to act and not act. We must align ourselves with God’s Word and plan and promise if we are to experience the joy of our salvation. To think that Lot was spared judgment in Sodom because of his uncle’s faith in God and love for him. To think that Lot would betray such love, faith and trust by turning a blind eye to the truth and accept the lie as the better choice. He is not alone!

TODAYS’ PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness endeavor, but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.