Read Genesis 13:10, 12-13

Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) (Genesis 13:10)

When Lot was making a decision about which land to choose, he didn’t consider God as a factor in shaping his future. He made all his calculations based upon the potential influences of nature and humanity, never considering that God might alter the world on his behalf. He looked in the Jordan River Valley and saw only lush, green vegetation for his flocks and rich, wholesome soil for his crops.

Lot failed to consider the potential danger represented by settling among the twin cities that occupied that valley. Lot never once asked God for His guidance. From a strictly horizontal perspective, the decision was a no-brainer. Consequently, with greed as his guide, he placed himself, his family, and his future in jeopardy.

I can’t imagine why anyone would want to ignore that vertical component. It’s like trying to navigate without a map—limited to what you can see and hear in your immediate area—when you could have a GPS device feeding you turn-by-turn instructions. Not only can God see everything we cannot, He wants to steer us through this dangerous landscape and bring us safely to our destination.

I realize we don’t get visitations from God in visible, audible form. But the Lord speaks and leads nonetheless. He’s there, and He wants to lead you.

REFLECT

How do you view the world? Is your perspective stuck in the horizontal plane, or do you account for the vertical dimension by seeking God’s counsel?

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)

Content taken from Faith for the Journey: Daily Meditations on Courageous Trust in God, by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2014. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.