Look Straight Ahead
Saturday, October 31
Luke 17:32-33 (NKJV)
“Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”
Devoción
After Abraham left Egypt, he settled in a place between Bethel and Ai. He gave Lot first choice of land, and Lot selected the plain of Jordan because he saw that it was rich in pastureland and well-watered. He settled near Sodom, an exceedingly wicked city that was sinful against the Lord. This left Abraham with land in Canaan. But Abraham had been seeking the land the Lord had promised him, where he would be made a great nation. When Abraham entered Canaan, God was faithful and told him to look northward, southward, eastward, and westward. This was the very land that He had promised (Genesis 13).
This was the difference between Lot and Abraham. Lot looked for what seemed ‘right in his own eyes.’ This affected his wife, who grew attached to the luxuries of the flesh, ignoring the close proximity to wickedness and a society that overflowed with sin. When the time of God’s judgment came, Lot’s family was told to evacuate and not look back. Lot’s wife, still attached to the place she had been instructed to leave, looked back and became a pillar of salt, a permanent fixture in a place where she was not supposed to stay.
When God moves us to a new place, whether due to deliverance or blessing, He instructs us to let go of the past. “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18–19).
Why? If we continue to hold on to that which is supposed to be released, there is no room for God to move in the new. The dead weight we clutch so tightly in our fists will prevent us from obtaining the very promise we are looking for. Can an old wineskin hold new wine? It cannot, for the new wine, as it ferments, will cause the old wineskin to burst. “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it” (Luke 17:33). Remember Lot’s wife. The answer lies in beautiful surrender. Let go.
When we ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we let go of our own ways and surrender to His lordship, His care, and His leading. His ways always lead to life, for He has come to give us life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).
The path may not always make sense at the time, but when our sight is limited, we must trust in His sight, which sees all eternity. Hear His heart. Keep your eyes forward, look straight ahead, and continue moving in faith.
Oración de hoy
Querido Padre Celestial,
I come to You as I am to lay down my burdens and the old things I carry. I leave them at the Cross. I give them to You. Make me new, give me a fresh path, a new hope, and a new vision. Cause me to walk in Your ways. I surrender my life to You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Aplíquelo hoy mismo
God’s life, like a mighty river, is constantly moving. What is one thing holding you back from moving forward in His will? Ask Jesus to help you today. Listen for His voice: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). In sweet surrender, you will find absolute freedom.
Recursos
- Don’t let fear keep you from walking in all that God has for you! Watch the message “Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back” and be encouraged to trust God, step out in faith, and move forward with confidence in Him.
- The Open Hands Prayer: Spend 10–15 minutes with God, physically opening their hands as a sign of surrender.
- Identify: What am I still holding on to that God is asking me to release?
- Surrender: Name it honestly before God and pray about it.
- Receive: Ask God for the grace to trust His direction and embrace what lies ahead.
- Respond: Write down one step of obedience you can take today.