OCTOBER 22, Genesis 19:24-26 

Sodom and Gomorrah were two ancient cities that were prosperous and very wicked. You may recall we first talked about Sodom in the Oct 15th reading. Lot chose to be near that city because the land was very fertile, despite the fact that it was a city that would influence him and his family terribly.

We read in today’s text that eventually, the Lord rained fire and brimstone on these two cities. Whatever wealth and power these cities had, God destroyed. As Lot chose to live there and build his wealth and businesses there, all his earthly possessions there were also ruined.

What was the greatest loss to Lot? Was it his wealth on earth? Of course not! What should have been most precious to Lot was his family: his wife and two daughters. But after all the years living in Sodom, the entire family was badly affected and hardened to sin. Lot’s wife loved the wicked city of Sodom. In the flight from Sodom, although they were already warned not to turn back, she turned around to look at the city she loved. She loved the things of the world; she was worldly. She had disobeyed the angel’s words not to look back and as a result, died in her tracks.

All of us can be hardened to sin. If you and I have friends who keep using swear words, do naughty things, or are disobedient to parents, we would be influenced. Slowly and surely, we will learn to be like those we mix with. Slowly, we would be influenced by our friends.

Are there children in school who are boastful or selfish? The Bible teaches that we are to be friendly to all, but be wise in your choice of friends, especially good friends. And who is your best friend? How do you choose your best friend?

If you choose friends who are naughty or disobedient, they will influence you negatively. We are not to shun such children, but we learn today that a wrong decision made by Lot years ago had affected his family very badly. Surely we do not want to repeat the mistake Lot committed!

Thought: May I choose wisely.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the lesson today that I must choose friends wisely. Please help me to be a godly child and do the things that You would have me do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.