Devotionals

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Sightless Clay

(Genesis 19)



I can’t begin to fathom the emotions shredding Lot’s soul when, the meal ended and the preparations for sleep well in hand, voices shattered his illusion of peace. Not a single voice, nor a mere handful, but the riotous uproar of an entire city now turned out at his door, surrounding his dwelling place, demanding this just man’s participation in depravity.

Though Lot desired to spare the strangers Sodom’s defilement, he dwelt amid its darkness of his own free will. Believing himself and his loved ones free of its consequences, he now faced the bitter vileness of its fruit.

Sitting in the comfort of my own hindsight, it’s hard not to be angered and frustrated at Lot’s offered solution to the mob’s demanding cry. It’s so easy to forget that apart from God’s grace there stand I.

And though terror surely compassed him about, Lot found the courage to step out, and confront the depravity. But sin desensitizes. And dwelling it its midst, it left Lot unprotected, vulnerable to polluted thinking, a man whose every answer could only end badly.

When he stepped out his door, was he not a loving father? Certainly he was. But Lot had long since chosen Sodom, wed his daughters to its sons, even though its wickedness oppressed him. Worn down by dwelling in its presence, Lot tried to avoid the depravity of one sin, by opening the door of another.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Though Jesus had yet to utter these words, God’s truth still rings true. We see it as Lot stands in front of a shut door, unaware of the darkness that had already taken up residence inside.

Then God’s Grace, utter grace, moves into that darkness … rescuing Lot. Blinding light leaves Sodom clay sightless, a sightless clay visibly reflecting blindness of soul.

And I’m left, wondering about my own life, about my daughters … wed to Sodom’s sons … I’m left in wonderment of the Refiner’s fire, that blessed extension of Light … leaving me awash in God’s grace . And I can only stand in awe of Grace Divine … lovingly shattering illusions of false safety. A Grace that takes me by the hand, and walks me through redemption’s gate.








© 31 January 2006
DeAnna L. Brooks

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