Today the temperature outside is colder than I have ever experienced: -8 with a windchill factor of -25. Our weatherman warned that it would only take 10 minutes for any exposed skin to suffer permanent frostbite in these conditions. Scary.
As I sit by the window looking out at the beauty of the snow covered winter wonderland, it's hard to believe there could be so much danger out there. Yet, as I sip my coffee, I'm reminded that my protection comes from staying inside where there is warmth and shelter from an environment that could destroy me. The parallel impact of my Bible reading this morning almost took my breath away.
I'm using the One Year Chronological Bible and have come to the account of Abraham and Lot. Abraham gave Lot the first pick of land to settle and Lot chose to "pitch his tent toward Sodom". In Lot's eyes the land around Sodom was wonderful. Yet, we discover no matter how beautiful Sodom looked on the outside, it was a horribly wicked place, filled with unspeakable danger. But Lot chose to go there, to raise his daughters there. He moved right inside the city and made his home there.
Abraham, on the other hand, chose land set apart from Sodom. One day three men came to visit Abraham. One of those men was the Lord, Who told Abraham about the coming of his promised son, Isaac. Wonderful news. But He also told Abraham of the destruction He would bring on Sodom. Abraham pled for his nephew Lot (in the sparing of 10 righteous people) and the Lord agreed to spare him.
The two angels accompanying the Lord went on to Sodom to meet Lot. When they arrived, men of the city, young and old, came to Lot's house and demanded to have the "men" for their own sick purposes. They became hostile and Lot was saved only because the angels pulled him back in his house and afflicted the men with blindness. Horrific scene. As the angels sent Lot and his family out of Sodom, Lot's wife looked back and suffered fatal consequences of her disobedience. She was turned into a pillar of salt.
Lot and his daughters ended up living in a mountain cave. His daughters made a horribly sinful choice and birthed sons of incest. These sons grew to evil nations that plagued the children of Israel for years to come.
Thinking of all the heartache and evil surrounding Lot, I can't help but wonder what would have happened if he had stayed closer to Abraham. What if Lot chose to stay close to the protection of God's promise? What if he saw Sodom for what it truly was; cold, dangerous and deadly? Things could have been so much different for him, his wife and his children. His impact could have been for good, not evil, his legacy for righteousness, not ungodliness.
Heartbreaking.
Abraham certainly wasn't perfect; but he chose to stay near God, in the protection of His promise. Abraham believed God. His faith was counted as righteousness. The righteousness of God kept him safe from the danger and destruction of the outside world. Staying close to God allowed Abraham to live a life of security in the protection of His Father's arms.
So, as I look out the window at a world of sparkly white, though beautiful, I'll remember there is danger in overexposure. This world is full of beautiful things, many of which God has given us to enjoy. But He never meant for us to venture out unprotected by His covering hands. Staying close to Him is the only sure way to escape the permanent damage of the world's desire for us. I'm thankful today, and everyday, for the warmth of His secure embrace.
"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
"Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings..." Psalm 17:8
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