FAITH CAPSULE: Looking back in the past instead of looking forward will derail man from getting to expected destination.
Genesis 19
In making decision, seeking God’s counsel is certain not to make a wrong decision. Man must give self to God’s counsel for right decision. Counsel from God is always nearer for man that will believe to approach and engage His counsel. Deuteronomy 30:14 testified that God is near, “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.” Romans 10:8 buttressed, “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach)”” Making a wrong decision is the evidence of moving away from God’s direction. Making decision outside of God is despising the word of God. Proverbs 13:13 warned us, “He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” For man, it is lack of fear for God to despise God’s word to enter self-destruction.
Making decision outside of God is ignoring the word of God that is always near man. Also, deciding outside of God’s word can be the evidence of disobedience. Ignoring not to approach God and disobeying the word of God is the truth that evidence makes a destitute of a believer.
After God had decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sinful nature of the land, He sent warning to Lot and his wife. “…Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.” (Genesis 19:17) Lot and wife believed God enough to move from destruction into deliverance. However, maintaining deliverance of God over Lot and wife demanded obedience not to make a wrong decision on their route of deliverance. Commanding word of God required from Lot and wife “not to look behind” but the wife of Lot looked back. Lot’s wife decided to despise the word of God. Decision against the word of God resulted to destruction. The Bible recorded, “But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26)
Today, just like Lot and wife’s documentation of deliverance, many have received the grace of salvation but could not maintain the grace of salvation because of wrong decision. With salvation at hand, many are looking away from God to find a sudden and untimely self-termination. Whatever in the past which man cannot give away to give self to the word of God is set to terminate man from arriving God’s destination. Looking back in the past instead of looking forward will derail man from getting to expected destination.
This New Year, ask God for the grace to be taking counsel in the word of God to forgive and move forward. Avoid looking back to allow the open door ahead and not to experience shut door. Decision that is rooted in God’s word does not wrong.
Prayer for today: Ask for the grace of obedience to be established over your life.