They all died. Every single one. Their violence, their immorality, their savagery led them to the brink. They reached the edge of the cliff so quickly that it was a small matter to jump off…even if it was to their own demise. They were the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

…bu they could have been saved you know.

Hours before the fire and brimstone fell on these cities Abraham had a conversation with God about their fate. He pleaded with God to extend his grace if just a handful of righteous people might be found among the teaming masses.

But there weren’t 10 godly people to be found in the city.

So the city was destroyed.

The tragedy is that Lot, Abraham’s nephew, lived in the city. He was a major player in the town. When the angels of the Lord found him he was sitting at the gate. This was a place of honor for the leaders of the city. Lot had an incredible opportunity to influence this city for God, but instead their fallenness got to him. It seeped into his bones. It changed him.

Heartbreaking.

Lot’s family, his wife and children, his grandchildren; combined they could have outdone superman. They could have saved the city. Their righteousness could have withheld the fire.

The next time you watch an inspiring movie that makes you feel like you want to do something great for God here’s a thought; live righteously. Maybe your a father; teach your children to love God. Maybe you’re a wife; don’t give stop praying for the heart of your husband. Maybe you’re a student; don’t comprise because it’s easy. Just because everyone else is or isn’t doing it don’t stop being righteous; you just may be holding back the fire.

For many years I thought one of Lot’s biggest mistakes was going into the city in the first place, but I don’t think that quite right. 10 godly people can be enough to hold back judgment, that’s an important point to remember. 10 righteous people in a town of hundreds, 10 righteous people in a city of thousands, 10 righteous people in a metropolis of millions. We can hold back the fire if we only hold the line.

Find your Sodom. Hold the Line. Live righteously and watch as God not only sustains you but in the process saves a city!

Community Questions:

Where has God placed you to hold back the fire?

What are some of the challenges those who live in Sodom face? How can we find success in the cities?