Lot’s story is told in Genesis 11-14, 19
Lot: A Man Who Chose with His Eyes but Learned to Trust God
Have you ever made a choice that looked good on the outside—but ended up bringing trouble? That’s exactly what happened to Lot, a man from the Old Testament. His story is a powerful reminder that not everything that looks good really is good. But even when we make mistakes, God can still show mercy.
Let’s walk through Lot’s story and see what we can learn.
Who Was Lot?
Lot was the nephew of Abraham, one of the most important figures in the Bible. When God told Abraham to leave his home and go to a new land, Lot went with him. The two lived and traveled together for a while.
God blessed both men with lots of animals, servants, and wealth. Eventually, there were too many animals for the land to support, and their workers began to argue. So Abraham suggested they go their separate ways.
A Big Decision: Choosing the Land
Abraham gave Lot the first choice of where to live. Lot looked around and saw the green, fertile land near the city of Sodom. It looked like the perfect place to settle, so he chose it.
But there was a big problem:
“The people of Sodom were very wicked and sinned greatly against the Lord.” (Genesis 13:13)
Lot chose what looked good, without thinking about the kind of people he’d be living near.
Trouble in Sodom
Lot slowly moved closer and closer to Sodom—until he was living right in the city. Before long, things went wrong. Sodom was attacked in a war, and Lot was taken captive along with many others.
Abraham came to the rescue. He gathered his men, fought the enemy kings, and saved Lot. Still, Lot went back to Sodom. Even though the city was full of sin, he stayed.
The Escape from Judgment
Later on, God decided to destroy Sodom and a nearby city called Gomorrah because their wickedness had become too great. But He remembered Lot and sent two angels to warn him and his family.
The angels told them to leave right away. At first, Lot hesitated. But the angels grabbed their hands and helped them escape. They warned them:
“Don’t look back!”
As they fled, Lot’s wife looked back—and she turned into a pillar of salt. She couldn’t let go of the life she was leaving behind.
Lot and his two daughters kept going. They were saved from the destruction because God had mercy on them.
Lot’s Later Life
After escaping Sodom, Lot and his daughters lived in a cave. It was a sad ending to what had once looked like a great life.
Lot’s story shows that one bad choice can lead to many more. He started by choosing land that looked good, but it led him into a place full of sin and sorrow.
Lessons from Lot’s Life
There are a few important lessons we can learn from Lot:
- Don’t make decisions based only on what looks good. Think about what’s right and what honors God.
- God gives us chances to turn around. Even when we make mistakes, He still offers a way out.
- When God tells us to move forward, don’t look back. Clinging to the past can hold us back from the future God has for us.
- Our choices matter. What we choose today can shape our tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
Lot’s life is a mix of good intentions, poor decisions, and God’s mercy. He wasn’t perfect—far from it—but God still cared about him and gave him a way to escape.
Maybe you’re facing a big decision right now. Or maybe you’ve made some choices you regret. The good news is: God hasn’t given up on you. Just like Lot, you can still choose to trust God and move in the right direction.
Ask yourself today:
Are there any decisions or situations in my life where God is calling me to let go and move forward?