Lot believed in the Lord, just as his uncle Abraham did. But Lot was so eager for success that he settled in wealthy, wicked Sodom. There Lot "was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard" (2 Peter 2:8). But he kept his mouth shut, stayed in Sodom, made money, and raised his family there.

Deep down, Lot was a genuine believer, and God mercifully saved him from Sodom's destruction. But Lot's losses were terrible. He lost his joy when he tried to fit with the wicked. He lost his wealth when Sodom burned. Worse yet, he lost his family. His sons-in-law were so used to seeing Lot act cozy in Sodom that they thought he was joking when he suddenly spoke of judgment, and they perished in the flames. Lot's wife became so attached to Sodom that she couldn't bear to leave. She turned back and became a pillar of salt. Lot's daughters did leave Sodom, but Sodom didn't leave them. The godless girls got their father drunk, lay with him, and produced offspring. Lot's only long-term legacy was the Moabites and Ammonites, wicked enemies of God and his people.

If you know Jesus as Savior, don't try to fit into Sodom. Shut off Sodom's corrupt entertainment. Get your children out of Sodom's schools. Don't marry your kids to Sodom's kids. Build your family on the Bible. Call others to Christ. Otherwise, you yourself might still be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

PRAYER--Father, "give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name" (Psalm 86:11). Help me forsake sin, serve you, and lead my family in the way of Christ. Amen.