16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them.
There are times when hesitation, careful consideration, and deliberation are good things. Not every decision needs to be made at the last minute. Procrastination is not one of the virtues extolled by the Scriptures. But neither is impulsive reactivity. There is a time and a place for rapid action and for slow deliberation. It seems as though Lot was getting the two mixed up. As you remember Lot waited in the evening in the square of Sodom in order to give safe lodging to visitors to his city. One evening some angels came and Lot insisted that they come spend the evening with him at his house. Now the angels are insisting that Lot leave his city. Who knows how many people lot gave lodging to over the years. I get the feeling that many travelers spent the night with he and his family. I imagine many lives were spared the treatment intended for these angel visitors. Now the angel visitors return the favor. They physically remove Lot and his immediate family from harm’s way. They were not moving fast enough, so the angels grab their hands and lead them out of the city to safety. They are forced to avoid judgment. They are rescued against their will. They wanted to spend more time considering their options, I guess. But there was no more time. Time had run out for the city of Sodom. God was fed up with the rampant sin and judgment was coming sooner rather than later. What spiritual decisions are you putting off? Has God called you to some ministry and you are hesitant to get started? Is there an area of sin to which you are clinging? There is a time for action. Is today your day for action?
The Arnold Journey 