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Cozy with the World

Words of Faith Final

Cozy with the World
Words of Faith 4-6-2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2022
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL    
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Genesis 19
    [18] But Lot said to them, "No, my lords, please! [19] Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die. [20] Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it--it is very small, isn't it? Then my life will be spared."
    [21] He said to him, "Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. [22] But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it." (That is why the town was called Zoar.)
    [23] By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. [24] Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the Lord out of the heavens. [25] Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities--and also the vegetation in the land. [26] But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

          Isn't it amazing? The Angels literally had to drag Lot from the city of Sodom before its destruction! The Lord, of course, was being merciful in sparing Lot for Abraham's sake. But even after he was delivered, Lot did not want the plan the Lord had proposed. He whined and negotiated an alternative with the Angels. "I'll just die if I have to live in the mountains!"  Lot headed for the small town of Zoar so he would not have to totally give up city life and "civilization."  
         Lot presents an interesting image. Remember? He had pitched his tent toward the depravity of Sodom. He drew his uncle Abram into a huge war by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He offered his daughters to the evil men of Sodom as a last-ditch effort to protect the Angels of the Lord. Ultimately Lot lost his sons-in-law because they did not take his leadership seriously! How could they? How tragic! After failing to lead their betrothed away from destruction, how could he look his daughters in the eye?
         We see Lot lingering and halting and finally being dragged to safety. Even when the warning was clear, Lot was still trying to stay connected with the evils of the city. In a final tragedy, Lot's wife could not tear her eyes away from the city they left behind, and she turned into a pillar of salt!
         Here is a good question: Why do some of God's people fall in with the corrupt world and linger there rather than willingly flee the influences that lead to destruction? Another good question: What is the price, especially within the family, of failing to lead decisively?
         Far too often, we as Christians fall into the same pattern. We get cozy with the world. Over time, we fail to take seriously the warning of the Lord to flee from the things that will destroy us. We whine and complain and linger behind. We don't warn others. When we finally take a stand, no one takes us seriously because we have never shown the integrity needed to earn respect. It doesn't take a "perfect" walk to earn respect, but it does take a humble one. We must confess when we have failed and then move on with integrity.
           How are you leading today? You are leading. Whether you know it or not, people are watching you. They are watching if you compromise. They are watching if you linger. They are watching if you negotiate a "special circumstance."  What are you teaching your family? Will your sons-in-law have reason to listen when you proclaim a warning? Your spouse? Or will they think you are joking?
           One of the saddest images in the world is that of Lot. He finally will see that he had the opportunity to lead, but he blew it. And now, no one takes him seriously.

          Lord, help me to lead. Help me to walk with integrity. Help me to walk in such a way that those who need to listen will listen. Help me to confess my failures and get back on track rather than just let things slide in a cozy walk with the world. I want to be Your Ambassador. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2022 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.