Articles
Which Direction?
She looked back (Gen. 19:17, 26). Apparently, instead of thinking about God’s mercy in sparing her and her family from certain destruction, Lot’s wife looked back to the city where her home was.
Israel had the same problem. Forgetting the miserable slavery they endured and remembering the good food they enjoyed there, “in their hearts they turned to Egypt” (Acts 7:39; see Num. 11:5; 14:4; Neh. 9:17). Like Lot’s wife, they paid dearly for their backward look.
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
Jesus told a parable about a man who found a treasure in a field. “Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matt. 13:44). Instead of regret over what he had to give up, he had only joy in view of what he had to gain!
Unlike the Rich Young Ruler who couldn’t bear the thought of parting with his wealth, Peter and his fellow disciples left all behind to follow Jesus (Matt. 4:18 -22; 19:27). Jesus assured them that they would be more than amply compensated (Mark 10:28 -30). And the promise, He says, applies to us as well!
No regrets for Paul either: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ....For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ...” (Phil. 3:7 -8).
“Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32).
