Rev Xi An Poon
親愛的家人，平安。
今天我們讀創世記第19章，看到羅得住在所多瑪。經文一開始說，羅得「正坐在所多瑪城門口」。在古代，城門口是城中重要人物處理事情的地方，代表羅得在所多瑪已經有位置、有關係，也有一定影響力。
可是，羅得雖然有位置，卻沒有把神的真理和光帶進那城。當所多瑪的人圍住房子，要傷害兩位客人時，羅得沒有按神的真理站立，反而用人的方法妥協，甚至願意把自己的兩個女兒交出去。
這讓我們看見，迷失不是突然發生的。羅得起初只是選擇約旦河平原，後來漸漸挪移帳棚，直到所多瑪；再後來，他已經坐在所多瑪城門口。人若長期停留在錯誤的環境和價值裡，屬靈判斷會慢慢被削弱，影響力也會慢慢失去。
但創世記第19章也讓我們看見神的憐憫。羅得遲延不走，神仍然差天使拉著他的手，把他和家人帶出城外。神沒有因他的軟弱立刻放棄他，而是主動施行拯救。
今天，神也呼喚我們走出迷失，迎向生命。
一、站在位置上，活出神的光
創世記19:1 說，羅得坐在所多瑪城門口。
位置本身不是問題，真正重要的是，我們在這個位置上有沒有活出神的光。神把我們放在家庭、工作、教會、社區和不同關係中，不只是讓我們安穩生活，更是要我們成為祝福。
我們需要問自己：我所在的位置，有沒有因為我更靠近神？我的家人、同事、朋友，有沒有從我身上看見神的真理、憐憫和愛？還是我只是在環境中生存，卻沒有把神的光帶進去？
神要我們在祂給的位置上，不是被環境同化，而是讓真理在我們生命中掌權。
二、面對罪惡時，不再用人的方法妥協
創世記19:8記載，羅得為了保護兩位客人，竟然願意把自己的兩個女兒交出去。
這是一個非常沉重的畫面。羅得知道所多瑪人所作的是惡事，但他的回應卻顯出裡面的混亂。他想解決問題，卻用了錯誤的方法；他想保護客人，卻傷害了神所託付給他的家人。
這提醒我們，有時候我們不是不知道真理，而是在壓力中選擇妥協。我們可能為了維持表面平安、避免衝突、保住關係或面子，而不敢按神的心意站立。
但神呼召我們，在愛中有真理，在溫柔中有界線，在憐憫中仍然分辨是非。真正走出迷失，不是用人的方法遮蓋問題，而是回到神面前，讓祂恢復我們清楚的判斷和順服的勇氣。
三、聽見神的呼喚，勇敢走出迷失
創世記19:16說：「但羅得遲延不走。」這是整章很重要的一句話。
羅得已經聽見神的警告，知道這城將要被毀滅，但他仍然遲延。很多時候，人遲延不是因為完全不知道危險，而是因為舊的生活太熟悉，舊的安全感太難放下。
但經文接著說：「二人因為耶和華憐恤羅得，就拉著他的手……把他們領出來。」
這就是神的憐憫。羅得不夠果斷，神仍然拉著他的手；羅得仍然軟弱，神仍然主動拯救他。神不是要羞辱他，而是要把他從將要傾覆的地方帶出來。
今天，神也正在拉著我們的手。祂要帶我們離開迷失、妥協、遲延和回望，走向祂所賜的生命。
總結
創世記第19章讓我們看見，羅得有位置，卻失去屬靈影響；他知道惡，卻用人的方法妥協；他聽見神的警告，卻仍然遲延不走。
這就是迷失。迷失不是完全不知道神，而是慢慢失去神的方向；不是完全沒有良善，而是在壓力中失去真理的判斷；不是完全不想離開，而是在神呼喚時仍然遲延、仍然回望。
但感謝神，祂仍然憐憫。祂拉著羅得的手，也願意拉著我們的手，帶我們走出迷失，迎向生命。
追求
今天，讓我們安靜在神面前思想：
我是否在某些位置上有影響力，卻沒有真正活出神的光？
我是否在家庭、工作或關係中，為了維持表面平安，而沒有按真理行事？
我是否知道有些事情不合神心意，卻一直用人的方法妥協？
我是否聽見神提醒我要離開某些舊習慣、舊模式、舊價值，卻仍然遲延？
我是否人已經往前走，心卻仍然回望過去的安全感、享受或生活方式？
禱告
親愛的天父，我們感謝祢。
今天透過創世記第19章，祢讓我們看見羅得的生命，也讓我們看見自己的光景。主啊，赦免我們有時候雖然站在某些位置上，卻沒有真正活出祢的光；雖然知道祢的真理，卻在壓力中用人的方法妥協；雖然聽見祢的提醒，卻仍然遲延不走。
主啊，求祢憐憫我們。當我們像羅得一樣軟弱、遲疑、不夠剛強時，求祢再次拉著我們的手，把我們從迷失、妥協、遲延和回望中帶出來。
聖靈，求祢光照我們，使我們知道生命中哪些地方正在慢慢失去方向。求祢恢復我們對真理的勇氣，使我們不再停留在迷失裡，而是跟隨祢走向生命。
求祢帶領我們走出迷失，迎向生命。
奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
創世記 19
1 那兩個天使在黃昏的時候來到所多瑪，羅得正坐在城門口，看見他們，便起來迎接，俯伏在地上說： 2 「我主啊，請到僕人家洗洗腳，住一夜，明天早上再繼續趕路吧！」他們說：「不，我們要在街上過夜。」 3 羅得執意邀請他們，他們便答應到他家裡作客。羅得設宴款待他們，烤無酵餅給他們吃。 4 他們正準備就寢的時候，所多瑪城的男人從老到少全都出來，團團圍住羅得的房子， 5 對羅得大喊大叫：「今天晚上到你家中作客的人在哪裡？把他們交出來，我們要跟他們性交！」 6 羅得走出來，關上門，到眾人面前， 7 對他們說：「各位弟兄，請不要做這種邪惡的事！ 8 我有兩個女兒，還是處女，我願意把她們交出來任憑你們處置，只是請你們不要侮辱這兩個人，他們是我家裡的客人。」 9 他們對羅得說：「走開！」又說：「這個寄居的人竟當起審判官來啦！現在我們要用更狠的手段對付你。」眾人便推擠羅得，想要破門而入。 10 那兩位天使伸手把羅得拉進屋裡，關上了門， 11 並讓門外的人，不論老少都眼目昏花，摸來摸去也找不著羅得家的門。
12 天使對羅得說：「你還有什麼親人住在這裡？你要帶兒女、女婿和城裡其他親人離開這裡， 13 因為我們就要毀滅這城了。耶和華已經聽見控訴這罪惡之城的聲音，祂差遣我們來毀滅這城。」 14 羅得聽了就去通知他女兒的未婚夫說：「快走吧！耶和華要毀滅這城了！」可是他們卻以為他是在開玩笑。
15 天剛亮的時候，天使便催促羅得說：「起來，帶著你的妻子和兩個女兒離開，免得所多瑪城因罪惡受懲罰的時候，你也一起被毀滅。」 16 羅得卻猶疑不決，天使便拉著羅得及其妻子和兩個女兒的手出去，將他們安置在城外，因為耶和華憐憫他們。 17 到了城外，其中一位天使說：「趕快逃！不要回頭看，也不要留在平原，要往山上逃，免得你們被毀滅。」 18 羅得說：「我主啊，請不要這樣。 19 僕人蒙你厚愛、施恩相救，但我無法逃到山上，要是這災難追上我，我就沒命了！ 20 請看，那座城離這裡不遠，容易跑到，又是座小城，請讓我逃到那座小城活命吧！」 21 天使回答說：「好吧，我答應你，不毀滅那座小城。 22 你趕快逃吧，因為你還沒有到那裡之前，我不能動手。」從此那城便叫瑣珥。
23 羅得到達瑣珥的時候，太陽已經出來了。 24 耶和華從天上把燃燒的硫磺降在所多瑪和蛾摩拉兩地， 25 毀滅了這兩座城和其中的居民，包括整個平原和地上的植物。 26 羅得的妻子跟在後面，她回頭一望，就變成了一根鹽柱。
27 亞伯拉罕清早起來，走到他從前站在耶和華面前的地方， 28 向所多瑪、蛾摩拉和整個平原眺望，只見那裡濃煙滾滾，好像火窯的煙一樣。
29 這樣，為了亞伯拉罕的緣故，上帝毀滅平原各城的時候，讓羅得逃離所住的城市，不致喪命。
30 羅得不敢住在瑣珥，便帶著兩個女兒來到山上，住進一個洞裡。 31 他的大女兒對妹妹說：「我們的父親年紀大了，這裡又沒有男子可以照著世上的習俗娶我們。 32 不如我們灌醉父親，然後跟他睡覺，藉著他替我們一家傳宗接代吧。」 33 於是，那晚她們灌醉了父親，大女兒進去和父親睡。她什麼時候躺下，什麼時候起來，羅得完全不知道。 34 第二天，大女兒對妹妹說：「昨天晚上我已經和父親睡了，今天晚上我們再灌醉他，你可以進去和他睡。這樣，我們就可以藉著父親傳宗接代。」 35 當天晚上，她們又灌醉了羅得，小女兒進去與他睡。她什麼時候躺下，什麼時候起來，羅得完全不知道。 36 這樣，羅得的兩個女兒都從父親懷了孕。 37 大女兒生了一個兒子，給他取名叫摩押，他是今天摩押人的祖先。 38 小女兒也生了一個兒子，給他取名叫便·亞米，他是今天亞捫人的祖先。
Key Scripture: Genesis 19:15-16
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.
Dear family, peace to you.
Today, as we read Genesis 19, we see Lot living in Sodom. At the beginning of the chapter, the Bible says that Lot was “sitting in the gate of Sodom.” In ancient times, the city gate was not just a place for people to sit. It was a place where important matters were handled, where leaders and influential people gathered.
This shows that Lot was no longer just a visitor in Sodom. He had a position there. He had relationships there. He had influence there.
However, although Lot had a position, he did not bring the truth and light of God into the city. When the men of Sodom surrounded his house and wanted to harm the two visitors, Lot did not stand firmly in God’s truth. Instead, he tried to solve the situation by human compromise, even offering his two daughters to them.
This is a very serious reminder. Being lost does not usually happen suddenly. Lot first chose the well-watered plain. Then he gradually moved his tent toward Sodom. Later, he lived in Sodom. By Genesis 19, he was already sitting at the gate of Sodom.
When a person remains too long in a wrong environment and wrong value system, spiritual discernment can slowly become weak, and spiritual influence can gradually be lost.
Yet Genesis 19 is not only a story of judgment. It is also a story of mercy. Lot lingered and delayed, but God still sent angels to take him by the hand and bring him and his family out of the city. God did not immediately give up on Lot because of his weakness. Instead, God reached out to save him.
Today, God is also calling us to come out of our lostness and step into life.
- Stand in your position and carry God’s light
Genesis 19:1 says that Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.
Having a position is not the problem. The real question is whether we are carrying God’s light in that position.
God places us in our families, workplaces, church, community, and relationships not only so that we may live comfortably, but so that we may become a blessing.
We need to ask ourselves:
Does the place where I stand become closer to God because of me?
Do my family, colleagues, friends, and people around me see God’s truth, mercy, and love through my life?
Or am I only surviving in the environment, without bringing God’s light into it?
God does not want us to be shaped by the environment. He wants His truth to rule in our lives so that we may become vessels of blessing.
- Do not face evil with human compromise
Genesis 19:8 records that Lot, in order to protect the two visitors, was willing to offer his two daughters.
This is a very painful and heavy picture. Lot knew that what the men of Sodom wanted to do was evil, but his response showed the confusion within him. He wanted to solve the problem, but he used the wrong method. He wanted to protect the guests, but he was willing to harm those whom God had entrusted to him.
This reminds us that sometimes we do know the truth, but under pressure, we choose compromise. We may want to keep outward peace, avoid conflict, protect relationships, save face, or preserve our sense of security. As a result, we may fail to stand according to God’s heart.
But God calls us to have truth in love, boundaries in gentleness, and discernment in mercy.
To come out of lostness is not to cover problems with human methods. It is to return to God and allow Him to restore clear judgment and the courage to obey.
- Hear God’s call and courageously come out of lostness
Genesis 19:16 says, “And while he lingered.”
This is a very important sentence in the chapter.
Lot had already heard God’s warning. He knew the city was about to be destroyed, yet he still lingered. Many times, people delay not because they do not know the danger, but because the old life is familiar, and the old sense of security is hard to let go.
But the verse continues: “The LORD being merciful to him,” the angels took his hand and brought him out.
This is the mercy of God. Lot was not decisive, but God still took hold of his hand. Lot was still weak, but God still saved him. God was not trying to shame him. God wanted to bring him out from the place that was about to be destroyed.
Today, God is also taking us by the hand. He wants to bring us out of lostness, compromise, delay, and looking back, and lead us into the life He has prepared for us.
Summary
Genesis 19 shows us a deep spiritual reminder.
Lot had position, but he lost spiritual influence.
He knew what was evil, but he used human compromise.
He heard God’s warning, but he still lingered.
This is lostness. Lostness does not always mean completely not knowing God. Sometimes it means slowly losing God’s direction. It does not always mean having no goodness at all. Sometimes it means losing the judgment of truth under pressure. It does not always mean refusing to leave. Sometimes it means delaying and looking back when God is calling us forward.
But thanks be to God, He is still merciful. He took Lot by the hand, and He is also willing to take us by the hand, bringing us out of lostness and leading us into life.
Reflection
Today, let us be still before God and reflect:
Am I standing in a position of influence, yet not truly carrying God’s light?
Am I trying to keep outward peace in my family, work, or relationships, but not walking according to truth?
Do I know that something is not pleasing to God, yet continue to handle it with human compromise?
Have I heard God reminding me to leave certain old habits, old patterns, or old values, yet I still delay?
Have I outwardly moved forward, but inwardly still look back to old security, old enjoyment, or old ways of life?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You.
Today, through Genesis 19, You allow us to see the life of Lot, and You also allow us to see our own condition. Lord, forgive us. Sometimes we stand in certain positions, yet we do not truly carry Your light. Sometimes we know Your truth, yet under pressure we compromise with human methods. Sometimes we hear Your reminder, yet we still linger and delay.
Lord, have mercy on us. When we are weak, hesitant, and not strong enough, take our hands again. Bring us out of lostness, compromise, delay, and looking back.
Holy Spirit, shine Your light upon us. Help us to see where our lives are slowly losing direction. Restore in us the courage to stand in truth. Help us not to remain in lostness, but to follow You into life.
Lead us out of lostness and into life.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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