\u300c\u72ac\u306f\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u5410\u3044\u305f\u7269\u306b\u5e30\u308a\u3001\u8c5a\u306f\u6d17\u308f\u308c\u3066\u3082\u3001\u307e\u305f\u3001\u6ce5\u306e\u4e2d\u306b\u3053\u308d\u304c\u3063\u3066\u884c\u304f\u300d<\/strong><\/p>\n\u540c\u3058\u5834\u6240\u304b\u3089\u96e2\u308c\u305a\u3001\u305d\u3053\u306b\u5e30\u3063\u3066\u304f\u308b\u8005\u306b\u5bfe\u3059\u308b\u8056\u66f8\u306e\u53b3\u3057\u3044\u8a00\u8449\u3067\u3059\u3002\u3053\u3053\u306b\u306f\u72ac\u3068\u8c5a\u3068\u3044\u3046\u52d5\u7269\u304c\u53d6\u308a\u4e0a\u3052\u3089\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u7686\u3055\u3093\u3001\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u72ac\u3067\u3082\u8c5a\u3067\u3082\u306a\u3044\u3002\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306f\u4eba\u9593\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
\u8056\u66f8\u306f\u4eba\u9593\u3060\u3051\u304c\u300c\u795e\u306e\u304b\u305f\u3061\u300d\u306b\u9020\u3089\u308c\u305f\u306e\u3060\u3068\u8a00\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002\u305d\u308c\u304c\u4f55\u3092\u610f\u5473\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u304b\u3054\u5b58\u77e5\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\u3002\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u795e\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u3001\u4f4e\u5730\u306b\u3068\u3069\u307e\u308a\u7d9a\u3051\u308b\u3088\u3046\u306b\u9020\u3089\u308c\u305f\u306e\u3067\u306f\u306a\u3044\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u9ad8\u5dba\u3092\u76ee\u6307\u3057\u3066\u751f\u304d\u308b\u3088\u3046\u306b\u795e\u306b\u3088\u3063\u3066\u9020\u3089\u308c\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u3053\u3053\u306b\u4eba\u9593\u306e\u9ad8\u6f54\u3055\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
\u4eca\u671d\u3001\u79c1\u9054\u304c\u3053\u306e\u793c\u62dd\u306b\u51fa\u5e2d\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3053\u3068\u306f\u795e\u306e\u3042\u308f\u308c\u307f\u3067\u3059\u3002\u7686\u3055\u3093\u306e\u4e2d\u306b\u306f\u3001\u3082\u3057\u304b\u3057\u305f\u3089\u300c\u6765\u305f\u304f\u306a\u3044\u3051\u3069\u3001\u7fa9\u7406\u3067\u793c\u62dd\u306b\u6765\u307e\u3057\u305f\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u65b9\u304c\u3044\u308b\u304b\u3082\u3057\u308c\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u300c\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u306e\u904e\u3061\u3092\u8ad6\u7834\u3057\u305f\u304f\u3066\u6765\u305f\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u52d5\u6a5f\u3092\u304a\u6301\u3061\u306e\u65b9\u304c\u3044\u308b\u304b\u3082\u3057\u308c\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u3044\u304b\u306a\u308b\u7406\u7531\u3067\u3042\u308c\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u3053\u306e\u6559\u4f1a\u306b\u6765\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3001\u304d\u3063\u3068\u305d\u306e\u80cc\u5f8c\u306b\u306f\u8ab0\u304b\u306e\u7948\u308a\u304c\u3042\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3060\u3068\u79c1\u306f\u4fe1\u3058\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
\u305d\u308c\u306f\u76ee\u306b\u306f\u898b\u3048\u305a\u3068\u3069\u3082\u3001\u305f\u3081\u3089\u3046\u79c1\u9054\u306e\u624b\u3092\u5fa1\u4f7f\u3044\u304c\u63e1\u3063\u3066\u3001\u3053\u3053\u306b\u9023\u308c\u3066\u304d\u305f\u3068\u3044\u3046\u3053\u3068\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002\u3057\u304b\u3057\u3001\u3069\u3046\u304b\u3053\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3092\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\u795e\u69d8\u306f\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\u5148\u306e\u3053\u3068\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3001\u79c1\u9054\u306e\u6c7a\u65ad\u306b\u59d4\u306d\u3066\u304a\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002\u305d\u3053\u304b\u3089\u5148\u306f\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u3069\u3046\u3042\u308b\u304b\u3068\u3044\u3046\u3053\u3068\u306b\u4e00\u91cd\u306b\u304b\u304b\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
\u3053\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306a\u3053\u3068\u3092\u805e\u304f\u3068\u3001\u305d\u306e\u524d\u9014\u306b\u6050\u308c\u3092\u611f\u3058\u308b\u65b9\u304c\u3044\u308b\u304b\u3082\u3057\u308c\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\u306f\u5b64\u9ad8\u306e\u65c5\u3068\u306a\u308b\u306e\u304b\u3068\u305f\u3058\u308d\u3044\u3067\u3057\u307e\u3046\u65b9\u304c\u3044\u308b\u304b\u3082\u3057\u308c\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u3069\u3046\u305e\u77e5\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306f\u4e00\u4eba\u3067\u9ad8\u5dba\u3092\u76ee\u6307\u3059\u306e\u3067\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\u3001\u7267\u8005\u306a\u308b\u30a4\u30a8\u30b9\u30fb\u30ad\u30ea\u30b9\u30c8\u3068\u5171\u306b\u3001\u3053\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u3092\u6b69\u3080\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u305d\u306e\u524d\u5f8c\u306b\u306f\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30c1\u30e3\u30f3\u3068\u547c\u3070\u308c\u308b\u8005\u9054\u304c\u3044\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u6559\u4f1a\u306f\u30d9\u30fc\u30b9\u30ad\u30e3\u30f3\u30d7\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306a\u5834\u6240\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
\u6bce\u9031\u3001\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u3053\u3053\u306b\u96c6\u3044\u3001\u4e3b\u3092\u793c\u62dd\u3057\u3001\u4e92\u3044\u306b\u52b1\u307e\u3057\u5408\u3044\u3001\u307e\u305f\u7acb\u3061\u4e0a\u304c\u308a\u3001\u9ad8\u5dba\u3092\u76ee\u6307\u3059\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u79c1\u9054\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u306f\u305d\u306e\u7e70\u308a\u8fd4\u3057\u306a\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u3053\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3092\u7e70\u308a\u8fd4\u3057\u306a\u304c\u3089\u3001\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u6bce\u65e5\u3001\u9ad8\u5dba\u3092\u76ee\u6307\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
\u4e3b\u306b\u3042\u308b\u7686\u3055\u3093\u3001\u4e0d\u900f\u660e\u306a\u6642\u4ee3\u3068\u8a00\u308f\u308c\u308b\u3053\u306e\u4e16\u754c\u306b\u751f\u304d\u3066\u3044\u308b\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u898b\u3048\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3060\u3051\u3067\u751f\u304d\u3066\u3044\u304f\u306e\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f\u3001\u4fe1\u4ef0\u3068\u3044\u3046\u529b\u3092\u7372\u5f97\u3057\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304b\u3002\u300c\u4fe1\u4ef0\u300d\u306f\u3069\u3053\u306b\u3082\u58f2\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3088\u3002\u305d\u308c\u306f\u5024\u6bb5\u304c\u3064\u304b\u306a\u3044\u307b\u3069\u4fa1\u5024\u304c\u3042\u308b\u3082\u306e\u3060\u304b\u3089\u3067\u3059\u3002\u3053\u308c\u304b\u3089\u306e\u4eba\u751f\u3001\u3053\u306e\u4fe1\u4ef0\u306f\u5fc5\u305a\u79c1\u9054\u3092\u52a9\u3051\u3066\u304f\u308c\u307e\u3059\u3002\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u8fd1\u3044\u5c06\u6765\u3001\u3053\u306e\u4fe1\u4ef0\u306e\u7d76\u5927\u306a\u308b\u529b\u3092\u77e5\u308b\u3053\u3068\u306b\u306a\u308b\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002\u8056\u66f8\u306e\u7d04\u675f\u306b\u5f93\u3048\u3070\u3001\u79c1\u9054\u306e\u547d\u304c\u7d42\u308f\u308b\u6642\u3001\u305d\u306e\u6642\u306b\u79c1\u9054\u306f\u5fc5\u305a\u601d\u3046\u306f\u305a\u3002\u4fe1\u4ef0\u3092\u6301\u3063\u3066\u3044\u3066\u3088\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3068\uff01<\/p>\n
\u3044\u3064\u3082\u5f8c\u308d\u3092\u632f\u308a\u8fd4\u308a\u3001\u305d\u3053\u304b\u3089\u524d\u306b\u9032\u3080\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3067\u304d\u306a\u3044\u3068\u3044\u3046\u3088\u3046\u306a\u4eba\u751f\u306b\u5225\u308c\u3092\u544a\u3052\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304b\u3002\u300c\u3053\u306e\u307e\u307e\u3001\u79c1\u3068\u5171\u306b\u4f4e\u5730\u306b\u3044\u3088\u3046\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u3055\u3055\u3084\u304d\u3092\u805e\u304f\u306e\u306a\u3089\u3001\u305d\u308c\u306b\u80cc\u3092\u5411\u3051\u3066\u3001\u5171\u306b\u9ad8\u5dba\u3092\u76ee\u6307\u305d\u3046\u3067\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304b\u3002\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306f\u9ad8\u5dba\u3092\u76ee\u6307\u3059\u3088\u3046\u306b\u9020\u3089\u308c\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n
\u795e\u306e\u5275\u9020\u306e\u76ee\u7684\u306b\u53f6\u3063\u305f\u751f\u304d\u65b9\u3092\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002\u305d\u308c\u304c\u4eba\u9593\u306e\u672c\u6587\u306a\u306e\u3060\u3068\u8056\u66f8\u306f\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306b\u8a9e\u308a\u7d9a\u3051\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u4e3b\u306e\u5fa1\u58f0\u304c\u5fc3\u306b\u8074\u3053\u3048\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\u3001\u300c\u4f4e\u5730\u306b\u3068\u3069\u307e\u308b\u306a\u3002\u5f8c\u308d\u3092\u632f\u308a\u5411\u304f\u306a\u3002\u9ad8\u5dba\u3092\u76ee\u6307\u305b\u300d\u3053\u308c\u306f\u622f\u8a00\u3067\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u4e3b\u306b\u3042\u308b\u7686\u3055\u3093\u3001\u3053\u3053\u304b\u3089\u65b0\u3057\u3044\u4eba\u751f\u3092\u59cb\u3081\u3088\u3046\u3067\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304b\uff01<\/p>\n
\u304a\u7948\u308a\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002<\/p>\n
Lot: Aim For the High Peaks, Not According to What You See
\nSep 8, 2024<\/p>\n
In 2011, I was alone on sabbatical, at the Dead Sea in Israel. The Dead Sea attracts tourists from all over the world, and there are a great number of hotels. Not having decided on a place to stay for the day, I asked around about available rooms at those hotels. However, all the hotels were full. The clock is ticking and the sun is setting. The task of where to sleep tonight looms.<\/p>\n
Near the Dead Sea is Sodom, mentioned in the Book of Genesis that was destroyed by sulfuric fire. ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sanbi.us\/pmac\/here\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/31e010ea77d697ed6c0c3a9fb6841664-scaled.jpg\")
When I learned that there was a small village in that Sodom, I looked for an inn there where I could spend the night.<\/p>\n
I stopped in front of one private house. It was Rachel\u2019s house. I knocked on the door and an elderly lady came out. This is Mrs. Rachel. ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sanbi.us\/pmac\/here\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/09bbc67ecb3712daf0966a96c43dfd95-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Here is the key to the room given to me at that time. The moment I saw that key, which we don\u2019t see now, my mind was in the time of Genesis.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sanbi.us\/pmac\/here\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/fccbd6a92ff21d1c42d976f5540078eb-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Alone in my room that night, I contemplated the horrific events that took place in this place, Sodom, as recorded in the Book of Genesis on that ancient night. At that time I was a traveler seeking lodging for the night, and the situation was all too real. After a sleepless night, I left Sodom the next morning after eating breakfast prepared by grandma Rachel. I will never forget that night. Today I will tell you about Lot, a man who moved to this Sodom long ago.<\/p>\n
Genesis 12 begins with these words.<\/p>\n
Genesis 12:1<\/em>\u00a0The\u00a0Lord\u00a0had said to Abram, \u201cGo from your country, your people and your father\u2019s household\u00a0to the land\u00a0I will show you.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nGod spoke to Abraham when he was 75 years old, and he believed those words and left the familiar land of Haran with his wife, Sarah. It was Abraham\u2019s nephew Lot who went out with them at that time. They continue their journey and live together for a while, but one day, Abraham and Lot decide to live separately. The story goes like this.<\/p>\n
Both Abraham and Lot owned many livestock. Therefore, it became difficult to distribute the grass and water needed for this livestock, and they chose to part peacefully in order to avoid the conflict that would ensue. Abraham, despite being the elder, gave his nephew Lot the priority in the choice of land, saying to Lot, \u201cIf you go to the right, I\u2019ll go to the left.\u201d Genesis describes that time in the following manner.<\/p>\n
Genesis 13:10-13\u00a0<\/sup>Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain\u00a0of the Jordan toward Zoar\u00a0was well watered, like the garden of the\u00a0Lord,\u00a0like the land of Egypt.\u00a0(This was before the\u00a0Lord\u00a0destroyed Sodom\u00a0and Gomorrah.)\u00a011\u00a0<\/sup>So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:\u00a012\u00a0<\/sup>Abram lived in the land of Canaan,\u00a0while Lot\u00a0lived among the cities of the plain\u00a0and pitched his tents near Sodom.\u00a013\u00a0<\/sup>Now the people of Sodom\u00a0were wicked and were sinning greatly against the\u00a0Lord.<\/strong><\/p>\nLot chose Sodom and Gomorrah because they appeared to be well watered and green like the Garden of Eden, and he headed that way. He must have thought he could gain prosperity there. Imagining all this, it seems to us that Lot must have lived a fortunate life, having chosen a land that appeared to him to be rich. However, the Bible mentions one thing that is very disturbing.<\/p>\n
Genesis 13:13, Now the people of Sodom\u00a0were wicked and were sinning greatly against the\u00a0Lord.<\/strong><\/p>\nOne day at dusk, as Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom, two travelers came there.<\/p>\n
In those days, the people who sat at the city gate were elders of the city, so one can imagine that Lot had established himself in Sodom in a certain way. Hearing that these travelers passing by would be sleeping in the city square that night, Lot compelled them to come to his home. Unbeknownst to Lot at the time, these two men were angels sent by God to know what was going on in Sodom.<\/p>\n
Thus the sun set and night fell. Then all the men from every part of the city\u2014both young and old\u2014surrounded Lot\u2019s house, and said:<\/p>\n
Genesis 19:5, \u201cWhere are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally\u201d (NKJV).<\/strong><\/p>\nThe word \u201cknow\u201d is used often in the Bible to refer to sexual relations, and the men who surrounded Lot\u2019s house came to rape these two men.The English language has a word \u201cSodomy,\u201d which is a term for unnatural sexual acts directed at humans or animals, and this word comes from this Sodom.<\/p>\n
Yes, it seems that this was a sexually depraved town where people had orgies with all manner of things and incest was commonplace. Now you know why, as a traveler passing by, I had a hard time sleeping that night in Sodom. Let us confirm. Why did Lot settle in Sodom?<\/p>\n
That is because, Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain\u00a0of the Jordan toward Zoar\u00a0was well watered, like the garden of the\u00a0Lord,\u00a0like the land of Egypt.\u00a0(This was before the\u00a0Lord\u00a0destroyed Sodom\u00a0and Gomorrah.)\u00a0(Genesis 13:10).<\/p>\n
What we see appeals to our hearts. We are moved by what we see, and we make decisions about our lives based on it. Earlier I said, \u201cLot must have lived a fortunate life, having chosen a land that appeared to him to be rich.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many of us are immigrants to the United States. Depending on what time period we immigrated, perhaps those who know us might think, \u201cThey must be living a rich life in the U.S.\u201d It is true that the United States has the best economy in the world. But what is it really like? According to appearances and numbers it may look spectacular. However, there are always pitfalls. Let us keep in mind Eve and Adam in front of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.<\/p>\n
Genesis 3:6, When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable\u00a0for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband,\u00a0who was with her, and he ate it.<\/strong><\/p>\nI am sure that all of you have had the experience of \u201cit looked good, but in reality . . .\u201d We believe that if we can scrape together \u201cwhat looks good,\u201d we can be happy. However, through our life experiences, we have noticed. \u201cNo, in reality, it is not like that. What matters is not that.\u201d But still, we continue to seek \u201cwhat looks good\u201d. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 there is an exhortation to a new way of life addressed to us.<\/p>\n
2 Corinthians 5:7,For we live by faith, not by sight.<\/strong><\/p>\nWe are invited to a life of walking by faith, not by sight. Abraham fixed his eyes upon that which could not be seen. Even in his eyes, Sodom and Gomorrah may have appeared as a land of plenty. But he didn\u2019t jump on it; he let Lot choose the land he preferred, and he lived in the land of Canaan, which Lot did not choose. And that Canaan was the land that God promised to Abraham. Because of this faith, the writer of Hebrews acknowledges Abraham.<\/p>\n
Hebrews 11:8, 9,8\u00a0<\/sup>By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,\u00a0obeyed and went,\u00a0even though he did not know where he was going.\u00a09\u00a0<\/sup>By faith he made his home in the promised land\u00a0like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,\u00a0as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.<\/strong><\/p>\nIt was by faith that he left the land of Haran, and it was by faith that he lived in the Promised Land. We call these times uncertain. Yes, we cannot see where we are going. If these times are uncertain, then faith to see the unseen world is what is essential for us now. I cannot say enough about how important it is for us to be given this spiritual sight. Living a life of faith and living a church life, in other words, must mean that this eye of faith is nurtured.<\/p>\n
Many things will continue to pass before our eyes. We are usually happy or sad about such things. However, let us not be so preoccupied with them, and instead let us look at the unseen things that are behind them. Faith is what gives us tremendous power in times of \u201cThis is it!\u201d milestones in life, and life and death crisis moments.<\/p>\n
Let me tell you about the second thing. The angels who came to Sodom on a reconnaissance mission received confirmation of the city\u2019s depravity through the events of that night. So God finally destroys Sodom. Genesis tells us the following about Lot who learned of this.<\/p>\n
Genesis 19:14-17, 14\u00a0<\/sup>So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry\u00a0his daughters. He said, \u201cHurry and get out of this place, because the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is about to destroy the city!\u201d But his sons-in-law thought he was joking. 15\u00a0<\/sup>With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, \u201cHurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away\u00a0when the city is punished.\u201d 16\u00a0<\/sup>When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters\u00a0and led them safely out of the city, for the\u00a0Lord\u00a0was merciful to them.\u00a017\u00a0<\/sup>As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, \u201cFlee for your lives!\u00a0Don\u2019t look back,\u00a0and don\u2019t stop anywhere in the plain!\u00a0Flee to the mountains\u00a0or you will be swept away!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nLot told his two sons-in-law, \u201cFlee!\u201d But they listened to the news of Sodom being destroyed as if it was a joke. When it was dawn, and the angels finally told Lot to flee, the Bible notes that Lot \u201chesitated\u201d (Genesis 19:16). Therefore, when the city was about to be destroyed, the angels took Lot, his wife, and their two daughters by the hand and led them out of the city. Genesis 19:16 records this.<\/p>\n
Genesis 19:16, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters\u00a0and led them safely out of the city, for the\u00a0Lord\u00a0was merciful to them.<\/strong><\/p>\nGod had mercy on Lot, who was hesitant to flee. The angels obeyed the Lord\u2019s mercy toward Lot, took hold of their hesitant hands, and tried to save them. Why did God go to such lengths to have mercy on Lot and his family and to save them?<\/p>\n
Once, when Abraham learned that the Lord was about to destroy Sodom, he was desperate and persistent in begging God for His mercy so that Sodom would not be destroyed. I won\u2019t go into the details, but Abraham actually pleads with God six times for His mercy not to destroy Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33). Of course, his nephew Lot and his family must have been foremost in his mind. Therefore, God must have poured out His mercy on Lot and his family for this heart of Abraham.<\/p>\n
When we fall into evil ways, when we try to live apart from God, the Lord shows us mercy through someone, through events. \u201cI was at rock bottom, but I was protected.\u201d \u201cI was saved from that messy way of life.\u201d If this has happened to us, it is surely because someone, like Abraham, was praying for us. God must have had mercy on us. But sadly, we may be oblivious to that mercy of God and reject it. We, like Lot\u2019s sons-in-law, receive God\u2019s mercy as a joke.<\/p>\n
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, let us respond to God\u2019s mercy while we can change our way of life. Lot and his wife, and two daughters were led by the angels out of the city. And the angel said to them.<\/p>\n
Genesis 19:17, \u201cFlee for your lives!\u00a0Don\u2019t look back,\u00a0and don\u2019t stop anywhere in the plain!\u00a0Flee to the mountains\u00a0or you will be swept away!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nThe angel said. Flee for your lives. Don\u2019t look back. Do not remain in the plain, but flee to the mountains, that is, to higher ground. If you do not, you too will perish.<\/p>\n
What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah after this? Yes, God rained down burning sulfur from heaven to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. It was not something that could be escaped, and Sodom, that is all those in the plain, were destroyed.<\/p>\n
Please remember, in God\u2019s mercy, the angels took their hands and led them out of Sodom. However, then the angels let go of their hands, and left the rest to them. The angels gave them directions in order to be saved. \u201cDon\u2019t look back, don\u2019t remain in the plain, aim for the high peaks.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the angels did not restrain their heads from looking back. They did carry them on their backs, so that they would not remain in the plain, and to aim for the high peaks.<\/p>\n
People in the Lord, it is up to me and up to you from here on out. The Lord says. \u201cNow, save your own life.\u201d It is we ourselves who will not look back, not remain in the plain, and aim for the high peaks. The Lord entrusts us with that \u201cwill\u201d and \u201caction\u201d.<\/p>\n
They followed these words and walked toward the high peaks. But Lot\u2019s wife looked back. What was on her mind at that time? We imagine about what was on her mind at that time. Perhaps what we have just imagined was on her mind, and she looked back. Yes, she looked back at herself until yesterday.<\/p>\n
And we are, in no small part, those who share her feelings. The Bible says that she looked back and became a pillar of salt.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sanbi.us\/pmac\/here\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/f619f8c20d32bc53c8cbe1af6aee5415.jpg\")
Even today, this \u201cpillar of salt of Lot\u2019s wife,\u201d as it is called, is in Sodom. Needless to say, this is probably not the real pillar of salt of Lot\u2019s wife. I am sure the real one has already decayed. However, the pillar of salt standing on a desolate rocky mountain, tells us today of the sorrow of those who have looked back.<\/p>\n
People in the Lord, perhaps one of you needs the words \u201cdon\u2019t look back\u201d right now. It may be a past regret or a past failure. Some of you may need the words, \u201cDon\u2019t remain in the plain, aim for the high peaks.\u201d I have been in the plain for a long time. I know I am there. But I don\u2019t know what to do. I cannot take a step forward from here.In 2 Peter 2:22, we read these words.<\/p>\n
2 Peter 2:22, \u00a0\u201cA dog returns to its vomit,\u201d\u00a0and, \u201cA sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nThese are the harsh words of the Bible against those who do not leave the same place and return there. The animals featured here are dogs and pigs. But, ladies and gentlemen, we are not dogs or pigs. We are human beings.<\/p>\n
The Bible says that only human beings are created \u201cin the image of God\u201d. Do you know what that means? We were not created by God to remain in the plain. We were created by God to live aiming for the high peak. Herein lies human integrity.<\/p>\n
It is God\u2019s mercy that we are attending this worship service this morning. Some of you may perhaps say, \u201cI didn\u2019t want to come, but I came to the service out of obligation.\u201d<\/p>\n
You may have the motive of \u201cI\u2019m here to debunk the claims of Christ.\u201d No matter what the reason may be, I believe that you came to this church because someone has been praying for you.<\/p>\n
Although we could not see it, an angel held our hesitant hand and brought us here. But please know this. God leaves it up to us to make our own decisions about what to do from here. From that point forward, it is single-mindedly up to you to be who you are.<\/p>\n
Hearing this may cause some of you to feel fearful about the road ahead. Some may flinch at the thought that it will be a solitary journey from here. Please know. We are not aiming for the high peaks alone. From here, we walk through this life with our Shepherd, Jesus Christ. And there are those before and after us who are called Christians. The church is like a base camp.<\/p>\n
Each week we gather here to worship the Lord, to encourage one another, to rise up again, and to aim for the high peaks. Our life is a repetition of this process. As we repeat this, every day, we aim for the high peaks.<\/p>\n
People in the Lord, living in what is said to be uncertain times in this world, let us not live only by what we can see, but let us acquire the power of faith. You won\u2019t find \u201cfaith\u201d for sale anywhere. That\u2019s because it is priceless. This faith will surely help us in the future. We will know the immense power of this faith in the near future. If we follow the promises of the Bible, we will surely think at the end of our lives. I am glad I had faith!<\/p>\n
Why not say goodbye to a life that always looks backward and never moves forward from there? If you hear the whisper, \u201cRemain in the plain with me,\u201d then let us turn our backs on that and together aim for the high peaks. You were made to aim for the high peaks.<\/p>\n
Let us live a life that fulfills the purpose of God\u2019s creation. The Bible keeps telling us that is the true human storyline. Do you not hear the voice of the Lord in your heart, \u201cDo not remain in the plain. Don\u2019t look back. Aim for the high peaks.\u201d This is no joke. People in the Lord, let us start a new life from here on!<\/p>\n
Let us pray.<\/p>\n
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