Comfort Zone Caution
I wanted to take this time to revisit a part of the story of Lot I spoke about this Sabbath
In Genesis 19:16 “When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them”. NIV
The Hebrew word translated as "hesitated" is מָהַהּ (mahah). This word means to linger, delay, or be reluctant. Not wanting to let go.
So, let’s back up a little bit in this story. In Genesis 13:12 it says that Abraham lived in the plains of Cannan while Lot pitched his tents near Sodom. Then in Genesis 14:12 it says Lot was living in the city. And in Genesis 19:1 He is sitting at the Gate as one of the leaders of Sodom. Do you see the progression?
When the angels and God visited Abraham, his tents were pitched in a place called Mamre. The best scholars can estimate is that this was between 30 and 35 miles away from Sodom.
It seems that his hesitation to leave was based on the fact that he and his family had grown comfortable with their surroundings. The point is that over time Sodom became home for Lot’s family, and, as a result, they grew complacent, accepting and tolerating its wickedness. In their minds they were peacefully coexisting with their surroundings, neither participating in them nor expressly condemning them. But over time their complacency developed into affection.
Then that affection grew into hesitation and no desire to leave when God Called.
Another sign that they had grown in affection for the surroundings was that his two daughters were pledged to be married to men of Sodom. Genesis 19:14. He was comfortable enough to marry into the culture.
How Comfortable are you? Becoming comfortable with sin is a process of gradually accepting and justifying actions that are harmful or wrong, often by downplaying their severity or impact.
You don’t become comfortable with anything in one minute. It takes time of association and closeness with the situation or circumstance. This starts by pitching your tents near Sodom. And before you know it when God calls you do not want to leave.
This applies to every aspect of your life! The Parable of the rich young ruler is a prime example. But we are not talking about just wealth. Habits, personalities, house, friends, anything in this world that is standing between you and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Maybe like Lot you have become so comfortable with something in your life that you are not even able to see the problem or desire to let go of the problem. You do not realize that you need to give it up to God. That is why he will send the Holy Spirit to ask you to give it up.
Will You Hesitate?
Prayers for All
Larry