XI.

THE MISGUIDED CHOICE.

GENESIS, chap. xiii., 10th and part of 11th verse, "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan."

WERE we conscious how much may depend on a single action of our life, we should weigh and ponder, and pray over each, more than we do. It is an easy thing, when our own will guides us, to decide on the course most pleasing to flesh and blood,' regardless of the consequences that may flow therefrom; but when past recall, it is sometimes fearful, calmly to review our path, and mark the deceit we practised on ourselves, to win compliance to our souls' undoing. True indeed it is, that for the child of God there is a covenant of mercy "ordered in all things, and sure;" but in what way are the blessings of that covenant experienced? In the diligent use of the means 1 Galatians i. 16.

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? Matthew xxvii. 24,

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of God's own appointment. The soul that presumptuously goes on forgetting these must know one of two things; either, the awful conviction that not having the spirit of Christ he is none of His; or, that "godly sorrow that worketh repentance unto salvation not to be repented of," under the influence of which he will return unto the LORD with deep abasement.2 It is such an action, justifiable on grounds of human policy, but found wanting when weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, that our text presents for our consideration. We will notice, in dependence on God's blessing,

I. Some Tokens of Mercy in the Early History of Lot.

II. The Misguided Choice.

III. The Consequences.

I. Some Tokens of Mercy in the Early History of Lot: prominent among these stands forth the example set before him by a faithful follower of the Lord. It is the testimony given concerning Abraham, "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him ;" and within the range of such an example was Lot brought, taken from 2 2 Corinthians vii. 16. 3 Genesis xviii. 19.

Romans viii. 9.

the midst of the ungodly,' and made the companion of this true servant of God. Who can duly estimate the value of an interest in the prayers of such an one as he, seeing that St. James saith, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much?" Who can tell the worth of the admonitions of such, the bold yet kind setting forth before Lot the path of duty? Nay, what example was there in that constantly setting up an altar wherever he journeyed, that calling publicly upon the name of the Lord? Brethren! a consistent Christian, whose conduct sets before our eyes the Christian life, is a privilege not lightly to be esteemed. Parents, do you duly estimate such a blessing? Are you anxious to place your children where their souls will be cared for, or is this an after thought, a secondary object, not made a matter of prayer and supplication before God? Servants, do you value your place not according to the mere amount of wages, but far more in reference to eternal things, the privileges of grace that may be yours? Oh, look to it that ye despise not these advantages; the last day alone shall declare their important bearing on your souls. But let us not forget to glance at another mark. 1 Joshua xxiv. 2; Gen. xii. 24.

of mercy, more than probably his: the opening to his view the riches of the covenant of grace. Abraham "saw the day of Christ," rejoiced at the sight, beheld it in the distant future, but yet by faith beheld it near and sure; "to him and to his seed were the promises made;" he would not keep those tidings to himself, but as the gospel was preached to Abraham, so would he to those around him declare "the unsearchable riches of Christ." It is not the low estimate put on it by the ungodly and profane, that must guide us in our value of that mercy, that brings us within the range of the tidings of the Gospel of Peace. Hearken rather to the declaration of our Lord to his disciples of old: "Verily, I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them, and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Is it nothing to have opened to us the way of God's acceptance? Is it nothing to be told of life and immortality, to hear how death hath been vanquished, and the kingdom of Heaven opened to all believers? Brethren! awake from your slumber; hear and receive these tidings of good. If blessed

John viii. 56.

the privilege to Lot to hear from Abraham the outline of a future and a glorious day, what the responsibility to you if you "neglect so great salvation!" The outline hath been filled up. "Christ hath died, yea rather is risen again;"" hath ascended on high, hath led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them." "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.' But we proceed to consider, in the second place,

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II. The Misguided Choice. The circumstances that gave rise to it were these the property of Abraham and Lot had much increased; they needed larger pasturage for their cattle. Meanwhile occasions of contention arose; "there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle," to which it is emphatically added, "and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land." There was a strife-and the cause of it, property, possessions, the fertile source of divisions in every age. Look at the early church, all is peace, they are " of one heart and one soul;" whence

'Matthew xiii. 17. 32 Corinthians vi. 2.

2 Psalm lxviii. 18. • Genesis xiii. 7.