Genesis 19:27-38; Matthew 7:7-14; Psalms 9:1-8; Proverbs 3:21-26
OT: “So it was, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham and brought Lot out of the middle of the upheaval when he demolished the cities where Lot had lived. Lot departed from Zoar and lived in the mountains along with his two daughters, because he was afraid to live in Zoar. Instead, he and his two daughters lived in a cave. Then the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to sleep with us as is the custom of all the land. Come, let’s get our father to drink wine so that we can sleep with him and preserve our father’s line.” …So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.” (Genesis 19:29-32, 36 CSB)
Back in Genesis 13, Lot was given a choice, and he decided to follow his own wisdom and “take” the land that looked to be the most profitable to him. This is where his decision to follow his own wisdom brought him: everything he owned was destroyed, he was homeless and fearfully living in a cave, and his two daughters out of desperation decided to sleep with him so that they could have sons.
NT: “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him. Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” (Matthew 7:7-14 CSB)
The narrow way that leads to life involves asking, seeking, and knocking. All of those are actions of humility and are counter to self-reliance. One who is proud and self-reliant will not ask, he will take… instead of seeking for wisdom, he will ignore the proven voice of wisdom and go his one way… instead of knocking first, he will barge into areas and opportunities that are not his. The truth to remember is that God is a good Father, and He only wants good for His children – so with God, there is safety in asking, seeking, and knocking. If we ask for something that is not good for us, our good and loving Father will say no. If we seek His wisdom on something, He will share it with us. If we knock, asking if this opportunity is good and open to us, and it is not, then He will keep the door closed and save us hardship and embarrassment. And in our asking, seeking, and knocking – treat others respectfully and come to serve them instead of demanding to be served. If we humble ourselves in this way and honor the Lord, we make ourselves bless-able – for God gives grace to the humble, but the proud, He resists. This way is challenging because it involves dying to our immediate desires and preferences, and few people choose to go this way… but it leads to life.
Proverbs: “Maintain sound wisdom and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them. They will be life for you and adornment for your neck. Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.” (Proverbs 3:21-26 CSB)
Again, seek the Lord’s wisdom and walk in His discretion. By doing that, you choose life, peace, and rest; and walk away from angst, turmoil, and destruction.
Jamie Hicks 