Not all that glitters is gold
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company. Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tent near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord (Genesis 13:10-13).
After quarrels broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot, Abram decided that in order to avoid further quarrels, it was best that he and Lot part ways. Being the godly and humble man that he was, Abram asked Lot to choose the area of land he preferred and he, Abram, would settle on the other part. The Bible tells us that Lot chose the land that was well-watered but in the vicinity of Sodom, a land that was known for its sin and wickedness. So wicked were the people of Sodom that God had to destroy the land along with Gormorrah.
Friend, the Bible tells us that Lot saw a land that was well-watered and settled there. What Lot saw was different from what God saw. God saw a land full of wicked people, people who sinned against Him, and that is why He destroyed them. Man always sees differently from God. For example, when God told Samuel to go to the house of Jesse and anoint one of his sons as king, the Bible tells us that when the first son, Eliab, passed before Samuel, he was convinced that he was the chosen one but he was wrong. God said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
Sometimes it is the plan of the enemy to make us see differently from God so that we can make wrong decisions and miss God’s plan for our lives. The enemy will send a good looking and successful man to a young unmarried Christian girl. Although she knows he is unsaved and living a life that is not pleasing to the Lord, the enemy will persuade her to marry him anyway and ignore that they are unequally yoked. Again, the enemy will get the company to offer a promising young man a promotion at work but on the condition that he says nothing about the unethical and illegal conduct that has been going on in the company. The enemy will persuade him to accept the promotion afterall he needs the money even though it is at the risk of losing his integrity.
Friend, the enemy is cunning and subtle. His tactic is to deceive children of God. He will show you what is definitely black and make you call it white. That is why we must constantly be in God’s Word so that we can distinguish between what is of God and what is not.
Friend, it is not all that glitters that is gold.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the gift of discernment to be able to distinguish that which is of you and that which is not. Open our eyes so we may see what you see and not be deceived by the devil. Father, we give you permission to take the heavenly coal and touch our eyes so that we may see clearly. Lord, today, we declare that our eyes are blessed and like Job, we make a covenant with them and command them to align with your vision, in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.
