“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. ¹⁷ So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.” ¹⁸ Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my lords! ¹⁹ Indeed now, your servant has found favour in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. ²⁰ See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.” ²¹ And he said to him, “See, I have favoured you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken.”

^“But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:15-21, 26 NKJV


Father God,

As I look at the life of Lot I wonder that You still rescued him. But then I have read Genesis 18 and seen how brave Abram was to intercede with You Lord. Six times Abram asked You and You both knew it was about Lot and his daughters. And Abram could only call on your righteous mercy because he knew Lot was not worthy as none of us are. But his wife had more regrets at leaving or less resolve to obey?

Jesus You warned us to count the cost of following You and likened it to a man building a tower and not able to finish it (Luke 14:28). You, God warned about trying to follow Jesus while looking back as Lots wife did (Luke 9:62). And called us to take up our cross daily – the symbol of suffering (Luke 9:23).

Father, what we receive is often greater than what we have to deny ourselves. Though I do not live in a land where believers are persecuted. When I give to the foodbank I do not have to miss a meal. When I give financially, I have time and am not working all hours for a pittance . . . Each of us has our own journey of carrying our cross. And I remember that more is expected of those who have been given more (Luke 12:48).

Help us to keep looking and moving forward. Today is a new opportunity to run for You. To know what and when and how to give out of whatsoever You give to us. Help us to be spontaneous when we see a need we can help with.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 11th January 2026
I find this tune less sombre.

O Jesus, I have promised
to serve Thee to the end;
be Thou forever near me,
my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
if Thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if Thou wilt be my Guide.

O let me feel Thee near me,
the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear Thee speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control!
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul!

O Jesus, Thou hast promised
to all who follow Thee
that where Thou art in glory
there shall Thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my Friend!

Lyrics: John Ernest Bode