Don’t Look Back
Lot is an interesting character in the Bible. He was Abraham’s nephew and was cared for by him. Lot embraced Abraham’s monotheistic faith and when God directed Abraham to move, Lot followed him to the land of Canaan. He prospered under the protection and guidance of his uncle, but when it became necessary to part company, Lot chose the easier of two paths. He desired the “good” life, so he chose to go down from the mountains to live in the cities of the plain.
Lot maintained a degree of integrity and moral uprightness in the midst of a corrupt generation as did his wife and his two virgin daughters. When judgment came on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, angels were sent to save him and his family. All he had acquired was now reduced to what he could carry on his back. The place he had chosen to leave was now the place he had to flee to. One thing God required of him and that was not to look back.
There is a saying that goes like this: “When the going gets easy, you may be going downhill.” To take the easy path down to the valley did not require faith, but to obey God’s warning of imminent danger and go up to the mountain did require faith. His desires were now all behind him. All he had worked for was behind him. God was calling him to go up. Lot’s wife just wanted one more look. Sure things were bad. Sin abounded on all sides, but it was all she had. She wanted just one more look. That look cost her, her life. Lot went on to father two nations, but his wife was left as a pillar of salt. Don’t look back to what is condemned by God. Don’t try to hold on to what is fading away. God has a path of faith for us to follow that will take us up to a new high place. Choose right from the beginning. Keep following the faith of Abraham.
It is impossible to look back and go forward at the same time. Even when the past is the “good old days”. Moses had some glorious experiences on the mountain top with God. As he came away from these experiences, his face shown with brightness of God’s presence. The people were frightened by the intensity of the glory that they asked him to cover his face when talking to them. As this glory was fading, Moses continued to wear the veil to cover his face. He was holding on the past good times, rather than moving forward. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that the ministry of the Spirit is more glorious than that experienced by Moses. Don’t look back, longing for the former years. There is more and better ahead.
When the second temple was built in Jerusalem, in the time of Ezra, those that had seen the first temple weep. The foundation was much smaller than the previous temple. As they looked back, they lost sight of purpose that God had for this second house. Looking back, brings regret, remorse and despair. Looking forward, brings hope, excitement and faith. Those that were not looking back rejoiced with all their might. They drowned out those who were weeping over the past. Haggai prophesied that the latter glory would be greater than the former glory. (Hag. 2.9) And so it was.
There is always more to be experienced in God. The former rain is good, but the latter rain is even better. Isaiah declares: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (43.19) If you look back, you’ll miss it.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Genesis 19; Mat. 7.14; Luke 9.62; II Cor. 3.7-11; Joel 2.23; Isaiah 43.19