We
all appreciate a good seat. I spoke with a man who recently attended a
basketball game and had the misfortune of sitting beside the aisle, and many
times he could not see the game because people kept passing in front of him. It
surely wasn’t the best seat in the arena. Parents arrive hours early to find a
seat near the front so they can witness their child receiving their graduation
diploma and enabling them to take quality photographs of the occasion. Folks will
pay top dollar for concert tickets so they can lay eyes on the performer, not
just his silhouette from a distance. Yes, sometimes a good seat is highly
desired.
There
are other times, however, where one sits doesn’t make a difference. One doesn’t
have to be near the front – just being present is sufficient enough. A
Presidential inauguration is a prime example. I remember one where nearly two
million people turned out to attend the historical event. The majority knew
they would never get very close to the President and would most likely only see
him on the jumbotrons. Those present commented, “We just wanted to be here!”
One man said, “I can tell my grandchildren that I was here!”
Abraham’s
nephew Lot is a very interesting study in many areas. One of those areas can
show us how sin can work its evil in our life. It can be seen in various places
Lot finds himself and how his condition worsens each time. When Abraham gave
him a choice of which way he and his herdsmen would go, “Lot lifted his eyes
and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere like the
garden of the Lord …Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot
journeyed east…” From this point on it is interesting to note the places where
Lot settles. From them we can learn the progressive nature of temptation and
sin.
First,
we see Lot pitching his tent “toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12). This meant he set
up camp in the direction of Sodom. Every day he went about his business. Sodom
may well have been insight, and Lot may well have been tempted to move ever
closer to Sodom’s wickedness. Next, we see Lot dwelling in Sodom (Genesis
14:12). Lot had moved into Sodom and was likely being influenced by the
citizens’ wickedness in ever greater proportions, since he was living amongst them.
Finally, we see Lot sitting at the gate of Sodom (Genesis 19:1). No longer is
he simply a resident of that wicked city, he was apparently involved in its
leadership. The city gates are where the elders and city officials sat and
conducted business. Through it all, Lot remained righteous in the eyes of God
(2 Peter 2:7-8). We certainly don’t know everything about Lot’s intentions or
what was in his heart – but God did. And I do know this – the closer we dwell
to sin, the easier it becomes to commit sin. And it all begins with where one
pitches his tent. (James 1:14-16)
[Revelation
21:3] “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them,
and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”
The best seat, the most desired and prized seat, will be found in the presence
of God. It won’t matter if we are near or far, there will be joy just being in
His midst, and singing praises of His wonderful grace and love. In supreme gratitude
we will cry out, “Blessed be God!” who created us and has given us every
spiritual blessing in His Son. It is by His abundant mercy that He allows His
fallen creation to dwell with Him eternally. Oh, what joy it will be just to be
with Him! Our longing to be with our Father will be a reality. We will never be
separated from Him. A good seat is any seat in the presence of our great God! So,
even in the midst of a sinful world, we can pitch our tent in God’s word of
love - and abide in it.
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