FAITH CAPSULE: When seeking God does not have a place in the heart of man the heart of man becomes dull.
Genesis 18, 19
It is important to seek God for deliverance with a heart that is active but not dull. A dull heart can possibly the cause of taking God’s word for joke. Jeremiah 10:21 pointed out a dull heart experienced situation, “For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, and have not sought the LORD; therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.” When seeking God takes its place in the heart of man the heart of man should not be a dull heart. However, when seeking God does not have a place in the heart of man the heart of man becomes dull.
God spoke to Abraham, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” (Genesis 18:20-21) When God was set to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of sin He spoke to Abraham and Abraham took the word of God serious. Abraham demonstrated the evidence of active but not dull heart. By virtue of the fact that he took the word of God serious, he repeatedly interceded on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah but there was nothing in place for God not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. The purpose of God revealing His word to Abraham was for Lot to be delivered from destruction which was set for Sodom and Gomorrah.
The angels that were sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah approached Lot and said, “…Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” (Genesis 19:12-13) In life, how much one knows God (not knowing about Him) will also determine how serious one take to His word. Taking the word of God serious is not a heart of joke which is not active in response to God. Lot knew God enough not to take His word for a joke. Lot, not wanting his people to destruction, responded to the messengers of God, “So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.” (Genesis 19:14)
God is not a comedian. Every single word of God should not be taken for joke. A dull heart is not active to obey the word of God. There was no further indication that the sons-in-law followed Lot to the ground of escape from destruction. You can avoid destruction by taking to the word of God. The word of God is for deliverance and preservation from destruction.
Prayer for today: Ask for the grace for a heart that is active in responding to God’s command.