The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

God is Faithful

Tom Graves

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August 24, 2025

God is faithful. This is a cornerstone of His nature, offering comfort to every believer. I remember ministering to a man in the later part of his life who had deep peace about his eternal future. This peace stemmed from his relationship with the Lord and assurance that God would keep His promises to those who have faith in Him.  Numbers 23:19God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? [1]

Our Lord is faithful to us even when we struggle along our spiritual journey. Humanity may fail us, and we may fail others, but our God never will. The Lord had promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child in their old age, something that was humanly impossible. Genesis 21:1The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. 2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.[2]

Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness

We live in a world where being unfaithful in relationships is not uncommon. Like a boat speeding through the water, our behavior can create a significant wake. The closer the relationship, the more it hurts when someone is unfaithful; however, our relationship with God is different. God is always there, even when we have drifted away and become distant. He is a faithful Father who continually calls us back. He is the good shepherd who pursues lost sheep.

That love is so great that it is beyond our comprehension. So, how do we respond to such faithfulness? As you go about your daily life, take a moment to look around you. Ponder the things you place your trust in. Remember, God promises that His faithfulness will outlast anything we can see with our human eyes.  1 Corinthians 1:9God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

God’s Faithfulness Blessed the World

The son born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age was the child of the promise, whose family line would one day give birth to Jesus, our Savior. I believe that when God acts in faith in our lives, whether in large or small ways, it is something we can reflect on and draw strength from, like an anchor. 

Today, your world may be filled with uncertainties, but know that God is faithful and will always keep His promises. One aspect of life that has helped me over the last few years is recognizing that there are seasons in life, and that is okay. God, in His wisdom, permits every life season, which may involve difficult changes. We can resist change or trust in God’s purposeful plan, allowing our foundation of faithfulness to guide us joyfully. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness!

Remember, God is faithful. To find out more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/gods-faithfulness-in-our-lives

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

God Moves on Our Hearts to Pray

Tom Graves

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August 23, 2025

The wonderful truth that God moves our hearts to pray is revealed in Scripture. Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.8 This implies that God is actively involved in shaping our desires, including prompting us to seek His will in prayer. Considering such matters is truly inspirational because it demonstrates that God is actively involved in our lives and desires to include us in His work.

At times, you may be going about your day or awakened in the night when God prompts you to pray for someone, having no idea of their specific need beyond the fact that they need prayer. What a privilege it is to pray for people in these situations. I believe the Lord loves it when His children respond to the Spirit’s promptings to intercede for someone. In addition, the Lord is teaching us the importance of listening to His still, small voice. 

God Told Abraham to Pray for Abimelech

After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham moved to Gerar, where he met a wealthy King named Abimelech. Fearing for his life, Abraham told him that his wife was his sister. Soon after, Abimelech brought Sarah into his household but had not yet had relations with her. Then something miraculous happened: God gave him a dream revealing that Sarah was married and instructed him to return her to Abraham. 

Genesis 20:7 Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.” [1] This verse clarifies that the intention to pray for Abimelech originated from God, not Abraham.

Shortly afterward, Abimelech provided Abraham with livestock, servants, and silver to compensate for any wrong he might have caused. Genesis 20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children.[2]

The Power of Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory prayer is praying to God on behalf of others, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus bridged the gap between us and God through His death on the cross. Thanks to His mediation, we can intercede for others in prayer. Scripture instructs us to pray for one another. 1 Timothy 2:1I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.[3]

Praying for others makes us more like Jesus. We cannot ask the Lord to strengthen others without being strengthened ourselves. Likewise, we cannot request God to soften someone’s heart without our own heart being softened. The Lord urges us to pray because He knows the power of prayer, which benefits both those for whom we pray and ourselves. Intercession helps us see others’ needs spiritually and lift our voices to God on their behalf. 

To learn more about how God moves on our hearts to pray, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-fear-leads-to-deceit

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

God’s Plan Unfolds Despite Human Deceit

Paula K. Graves

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August 22, 2025

God’s plan unfolds despite human deceit. God had given Abraham the promise of many descendants. Sarah was to be the mother of these descendants, who would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. However, when Abraham claimed Sarah as his sister rather than his wife, Abimelech took her into his harem. This put the covenantal promises at risk.

God Moved in Grace

God restrained this evil by sending Abimelech a dream to reveal the truth of the situation. He had not allowed the king to touch Sarah until the warning. God knew Abimelech was innocent in the situation and allowed him to make a more informed decision. At the same time, God was protecting Sarah and her future offspring.

God’s warning to Abimelech also gave direction with a warning. Genesis 20: 6 In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.” [1]

God’s grace allowed Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham without punishment. And in a surprising move, God used the king to chastise Abraham. This had to be very humbling for Abraham.

God Gives Supply for His Plan

God’s grace even moved the heart of Abimelech to return Sarah with gifts. Genesis 20: 14 Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him. 15 Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you would like to live.” 16 And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.” [2]

Grace for Moral Lapses

Scripture does not vindicate Abraham for his actions. There is no defense offered. We can see that God’s intervention doesn’t mean He approved of Abraham’s actions. No, God broke in to fulfill His covenantal promises despite Abraham’s poor judgment. This gives us insight into God’s character and His love for us. We, like Abraham, fail at times. We doubt God’s faithfulness and think we must rely on ourselves.

Fortunately, God had a solution to the problem of sin. Romans 5: 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. [3]

God’s plan unfolds despite human deceit. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-fear-leads-to-deceit

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Choose Integrity Rather Than Deception

Paula K. Graves

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August 21, 2025

God desires that we choose integrity rather than deception. Proverbs 12: 22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.[1] Abraham had been on a faith journey since God called him out of Ur. Leaving what he knew had to be difficult and dangerous. From the beginning of the call, Abraham had a plan to stay safe.

Genesis 20: 11 Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ 12 And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. 13 When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’ ” [2]

Repeating a Half-Truth

God had made a covenant with Abraham and repeated it multiple times. Abraham’s faith had grown, but he continued a bad habit of telling a half-truth. He had done it in Egypt (Genesis 12) and now repeated it. Warren Wiersbe says, “A half-truth has just enough fact in it to make it plausible and just enough deception to make it dangerous.”[3] This half-truth was dangerous as it threatened the covenant both times.

Why would Abraham see a need to continue telling this half-truth? By now, Sarah was in her 90’s and possibly pregnant. In Genesis 18, God had promised a son within the year. In the chapter after our story, Isaac will be born. Abraham should be protecting Sarah and Isaac since this is the future of the generations of God’s covenant.

Surprisingly, Abimelech does take Sarah for his harem. More than likely, he did this to create a truce between himself and Abraham. Abimelech may have perceived Abraham as a threat due to his wealth and large entourage of servants.

A Ruined Testimony

Abraham perceived Abimelech as godless, yet Abimelech demonstrated more character than Abraham. Genesis 20: 9 Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! 10 Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” [4]

God used a pagan king to chastise Abraham for lying. Why would Abimelech listen to the lying Abraham tell about the true God? God meant for Abraham to be a blessing to others, but here, there is only conflict.

Deception will hurt our testimony and ministry opportunities. As we have watched multiple pastors fail in recent months, we can understand the importance of character in our witness. Sometimes, we may be blind to our weaknesses, but God knows them and can help us overcome them.

Psalm 139: 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.[5] Choose integrity rather than deception. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-fear-leads-to-deceit

[1,2,4,5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (p. 88). Victor Books.

Struggling to Trust God

Tom Graves

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August 20, 2025

Struggling to trust God is an experience you may have encountered. Throughout the Bible, God provides examples of individuals who grappled with trusting Him, including Abraham. This does not diminish their struggles but illustrates how much we depend on God’s strength to trust Him. In many ways, life is a test, and when we fail, it is often a time when God teaches us lessons that can transform our lives.  Corinthians 5:7For we live by believing and not by seeing.[1]

Abraham was a great man of faith, but he, too, struggled at times to trust God. After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham moved to Gerar, where he encountered King Abimelech. Distrusting God’s protection, Abraham resorted to his sinful lie by telling Abimelech that Sarah was his sister, which resulted in him taking her into his household. However, before Abimelech could sleep with Sarah, God came to him in a dream, instructing him to return her to her husband. 

God is our Foundation of Trust

Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! 10 Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” 11 Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ [2]

Abraham’s failure was not a result of a lack of knowledge about God but rather a failure to apply that knowledge to his circumstances. We can do the same thing. Trusting God is believing He is good, even when circumstances are unfavorable. Faith drives this trust. Hebrews 11:1Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.[3]  By embracing faith, we choose to trust God’s Word instead of our anxieties, believing that He orchestrates events even in situations that may cause us fear.

God is at Work in Us

Trusting God is a process of His work in us, not a matter of sheer willpower, but rather yielding to the Holy Spirit’s transformative power. Spending time with God’s Word, praying, and reflecting on His faithfulness strengthens our trust in Him.

 Even in Abraham’s deception, God intervened, protecting Sarah and rebuking Abimelech, showing that our faltering trust doesn’t affect His faithfulness. He works through our imperfections, drawing us closer to Him. The struggle to trust isn’t the end but an opportunity for God to refine us, reveal His commitment, and deepen our reliance on Him. When we are struggling to trust God, we need to surrender our fears to Him. Then we realize true security lies not in our control but in the unfailing love and power of our trustworthy God. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-fear-leads-to-deceit

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.

Struggling With Fear That Clouds Judgment

Tom Graves

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August 19, 2025

Struggling with fear that clouds judgment is not uncommon. Although God intended the emotion of fear to protect us, it can also become exaggerated. When this happens, it leads us to make poor decisions, as characterized by Abraham. 

In the quiet hours of the early morning, Abimelech, King of Gerar, awoke from a dream that would shake the foundations of his world. Genesis 20: 8 Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified. 9 Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! 10 Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” [1]

Abraham, deeply faithful, allowed his fear of death to cloud his judgment, misleading Abimelech by calling Sarah his sister. This incident illustrates that even those close to God can succumb to fear, making choices that threaten not only their well-being but also that of those around them.

Faith’s Pathway to Forgiveness

The aftermath of Abraham’s deception emphasizes the vital role of faith in seeking and receiving forgiveness. Abimelech, though wronged, was open to understanding that God intervened to protect Sarah and confront him. Abraham, facing the consequences of his fear-driven actions, was confronted with his lack of faith in God’s protection.

Although Abraham did not ask Abimelech to forgive him, it certainly would have been the right thing to do. As people, we need to ask God to forgive us when we sin and, at times, ask others to forgive us as well. There is something that happens in our hearts when we admit our failures and lean into God’s love. Through humble confession and renewed trust in God’s character, we can experience the liberating power of forgiveness. God’s goal is always to lead us to a repentant heart so He can restore us.

Cultivating Discernment Through Trust

Abimelech asked Abraham a pointed question. Genesis 20:10Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” [2]. If Abraham had fully trusted God, he would have known that God could protect him and Sarah without resorting to deception. The same applies to us.

With God’s help, we can cultivate a discerning spirit through prayer, Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. As we do this, it allows His truth to guide us and dispel fear. In God’s mercy, as our faith grows, our discernment sharpens. This enables us to make wise choices that honor God and uplift others rather than succumbing to fear’s deceptive whispers.

To learn more about struggling with fear that clouds judgment, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-fear-leads-to-deceit

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Revelation Through Dreams

Paula K. Graves

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August 18, 2025

We see how God gives revelation through dreams. Genesis 20: 3 But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!”

4 But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5 Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.”

6 In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.” [1]

God Reveals Truth

Job 33: 14 For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. 15 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. 16 He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. 17 He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride. [2]

Abraham had told a half-truth when he claimed Sarah was his sister. She was his half-sister, but more importantly, she was his wife and the mother of their promised son. Abimelech had no clue about this, but God revealed it in a dream. God also understood that Abimelech was innocent in the situation.

Sometimes, God speaks through dreams because that is the only time we are still. God speaks through dreams throughout Scripture. Joseph and Daniel in the Old Testament received revelation about what was to come. Joseph, in the New Testament, received guidance in dreams so he could protect the baby Jesus.

God Reveals the Importance of Marriage

Unfortunately, in our culture, marriage is not considered to be that important. Many couples simply live together, and adultery is common. That is not God’s view, as we see in our story. God threatened to kill Abimelech because he had taken another man’s wife. Since Abimelech didn’t know this, God revealed the truth in a dream. Yet, if Abimelech didn’t return Sarah, he and his people would die. That is very serious business!

God designed marriage and knows what is best for us. Thus, He wants us to protect marriage because He loves us. God knows how damaging adultery and divorce are, not only to the couple but to family and friends around them. There are too many Scriptures about marriage to consider them here, but the writer of Hebrews summarizes it well. Hebrews 13: 4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. [3]

In our story, God gives revelation through dreams to reveal the truth of the situation and the importance of marriage. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-fear-leads-to-deceit

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Relapsing into My Sin

Tom Graves

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August 17, 2025

Relapsing into sin is something we all experience if we’re honest. When this occurs, we feel a sense of shame and discouragement, accompanied by the overwhelming feeling of “not again.” It’s painful for believers who want to walk in righteousness but are hindered by familiar temptations.

In Genesis 20, we see Abraham, the patriarch of faith, relapsing into a sin he committed years earlier. His story offers a profound insight into spiritual relapse and God’s unwavering grace in the midst of it. Genesis 20:1Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, 2 Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace. [1]

When I Struggle With My Sin

This isn’t the first time Abraham has sinned by calling Sarah his sister out of fear. Years earlier, in Genesis 12, he told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister, a claim made while they were in Egypt. This led to chaos, and divine intervention was required to protect Sarah and reveal his deceit. You’d think someone who experienced God’s mighty hand would learn, yet here he is, like us, repeating the same sin.

What drives a relapse? It’s often the same fear or insecurity that fueled the initial sin. For Abraham, it was his safety. He feared being killed if his true relationship with Sarah became known. This anxiety, though dormant for a time, resurfaced in similar circumstances. This should be sobering for us. Our past sins often stem from deep-seated issues requiring ongoing surrender to God. As we surrender to God, we must approach His throne, confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness. 

God Can Help Me When I Relapse

No one is immune from relapse, not even Abraham, the father of faith, or you. This isn’t an excuse to sin but a call to humility and watchfulness. Abraham’s failures highlighted God’s faithfulness rather than disqualifying him from God’s plan. Instead of shame, we can pray and ask the Lord: What fear, insecurity, or unmet need am I addressing through this sin? What false beliefs about God or myself am I holding? These questions can lead to profound healing and freedom. 

Just as He pursued Abraham, He pursues us. God’s goal is restoration, not shame. When we stumble, the enemy wants us to think we’re beyond redemption, that God is fed up with us. The truth is God’s mercies are new every morning; He forgives, heals, and guides us back to righteousness.

If you face a relapse, take heart; you are not alone. See Abraham’s story as a testament to God’s grace, not an excuse to sin.1 John 1: 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.[2] Remember, He is waiting to lift you up and walk with you again.

To learn more about relapsing into my sin, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-fear-leads-to-deceit

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

God Answers Prayers

Tom Graves

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August 16, 2025

Abraham wholeheartedly believed that God answers prayers, a truth he had experienced throughout his life. God does not always respond in the way we expect or with the outcomes we fully desire, but according to His perfect will and grace.

I remember praying for an eight-month-old infant suffering from a liver disease. As I laid my hands on her and prayed, I felt that the Lord would heal her supernaturally. God did heal her, but it was when He took her to heaven a few months later. Sometimes, we don’t understand why God doesn’t answer prayers the way we desire, but we must trust that He knows best.

Abraham’s Intercession

The previous day, Abraham had stood before the Lord, interceding with desperate earnestness for the cities of the plain where his nephew Lot resided. He had pleaded, bargaining down from fifty righteous people to a mere ten, hoping against hope that God would spare the cities. Now, as the first light touches the sky, Abraham, a man of faith and deep concern, rises early and returns to that very spot. Imagine Abraham’s heart in that moment. Was it filled with dread, anticipating the worst? Was there a flicker of hope, clinging to the possibility that God had found ten righteous souls?

Genesis 19:28 Abraham looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and watched as columns of smoke rose from the cities like smoke from a furnace. 29 But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.[1]

God Listened to Abraham

Though the cities were beyond saving due to their sins, God’s promise and Abraham’s intercession were not in vain. God listened to Abraham, and for his sake, He saved Lot and his daughters. In our prayer life, we must be persistent like Abraham. Don’t give up, even when circumstances appear dire.

Remember, God listens and does not forget our pleas or His promises. God is sovereign and filled with grace. His judgment of Sodom was righteous, but in His mercy, He prompted Abraham to intercede on behalf of Lot. Don’t forget the power of intercession; our prayers can make a difference.

Are your loved ones going through tough times or feeling a bit hopeless? Just like Abraham, we can approach the Lord and share our heartfelt feelings, trusting that our faithful God always remembers, hears, and responds to our prayers. While His answers might not always match what we hope for, they are always fair, compassionate, and part of His excellent plan. So, let’s keep praying; God is listening, and God answers prayers!

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/divine-judgment-and-human-choices

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ge 19:28–29). Tyndale House Publishers.

Hanging On When God Says to Let Go

Tom Graves

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August 15, 2025

Hanging on when God says to let go often represents a significant part of our spiritual journey. Before returning to school to become a pastor, I spent twelve years in a completely different profession. To follow the direction the Lord was leading me, my wife and I had to let go of our jobs and the financial security we had previously enjoyed. Only with the Lord’s strength were we able to move forward with His calling, which would transform not only us but also our three small children. 

Throughout our ministry career, the Lord has taught us to hold onto things loosely, which is easier said than done. I am living proof that the words of Jesus are wonderful words of wisdom. Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [1]

Lot and His Family Were Instructed to Leave Sodom

Two angels came to Sodom to warn Lot of the impending destruction of the wicked city he had come to love. Yet, it seemed difficult for Lot and his family to leave. The worldliness of Sodom, like that of wicked cities today, has a sinful attraction. The angels had come in the evening and stayed at Lot’s home, and the next morning, they insisted that they hurry and leave the city before it was destroyed. But what was Lot’s response to this urgency?

Genesis 19:16 When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.[2] As the angels ushered Lot out of the city, he continued to stall, saying he could not flee to the mountains they had directed him to.

Lot told the angels he could only travel as far as the small village of Zoar, and they agreed. When Lot and his family arrived in Zoar, the angels destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. The angels had warned them as they fled not to look back, which was symbolic of letting go of their former lives. Genesis 19:26 But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. [3] The verb for her looking indicates a prolonged, intense gazing at the world she had grown to love.[4]

Letting Go is Learning to Trust God

Throughout life, the Lord teaches us that He can be trusted when we follow His word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just as a child learns to walk by taking baby steps, walking by faith follows a similar process. God’s call to “let go” is not a punishment; it is an invitation to freedom. It is an act of divine love, clearing away what hinders our growth and prevents us from receiving His best.

When God says to let go, it is always for our good, our salvation, and our flourishing. The question for us today is: what are we hanging on to that God is urging us to release? Will we choose the path of obedience and freedom, or risk becoming stuck, like a pillar of salt, looking back at a life that God intended for us to leave behind? Let us choose to let go, trusting that God’s way is always the path to life.

To learn more about hanging on when God says to let go, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/divine-judgment-and-human-choices

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.

[4] Ross, A., & Oswalt, J. N. (2008). Cornerstone biblical commentary: Genesis, Exodus (Vol. 1, p. 130). Tyndale House Publishers.

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