# 164 The Spirit of Reluctancy

The Book of Genesis

Day 164

Ge 19:15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, "Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city." 16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.

Being faithful sometimes can be difficult. Lot is a classic example. He knew these men were angels. He had seen them strike the mob blind. There was a tremendous sense of urgency in their voices as they urged Lot to get a move on and get his wife and daughters out of town!  Yet he lingered.

The word “lingered”  here means to question or hesitate, to be reluctant. Lot was having an attack of reluctancy. This attack could’ve been brought on by many things. The fact that his sons in law laughed at him and thought he was joking when he told them the city was going to be destroyed would probably play mind games with him. Then there’s his wife. As we shall see, see had strong longings to stay behind. His daughters were leaving their betrothed  behind, and we can imagine they were chiming in with their own reasons to stay. 

So that old enemy of faith, doubt, was creeping in and controlling Lot’s responses. Without the miraculous intervention of the angels per the instructions of the Lord Lot and his wife and daughters would’ve perished with the city.

They physically grabbed the hands of Lot, his wife, and daughters, and yanked them out of the city. Please note why they did this. Verse 16 says the Lord was being merciful to them. God’s mercy overrode the lack of faith on Lot’s part. God’s mercy trumped his reluctancy and fear and he was spared. How often we need that same mercy in our own lives!

We read God’s Word, we meditate on it, it calls us to action, yet out of fear, we freeze. We linger. We become reluctant and we miss the will of God for our lives.

What are some things God has been calling you to do? Why have you been reluctant to follow? May I suggest you make a list, and check that list to be sure it is in agreement with the Word of God. Then ask God for His mercy to help you overcome your fears and doubts, then follow Him.

By the way, while this episode can help strengthen your faith and resolve and help you overcome reluctancy, the real faith lesson here is that Lot was rescued by the grace and mercy of God. It is the same for you and I for it is by grace you have been saved by faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God lest anyone should boast.

Pray: Thanks for the reminder, that in our own strength, we cannot save ourselves, thank You for your saving grace and mercy!