The rescue in ‘restriction’

And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar…Genesis 19:30
 
This passage in Genesis outlines the angelic mission to rescue Lot and his family from the destruction that is about to devastate the city called Sodom, their city. Lot has made his wealth in that city, and now loses all he has worked, as well as his home, and even his wife! We find him pleading with the angel to let him escape to a nearby city, the angel agrees and waits for him to make the journey there (19:21-22). This city is called Zoar, and it means 'small'. 
 
How many times has God had to rescue us from the folly of our own decisions! When we should have exercised greater caution and insight but did not. I am sure that you, like me, can recall both the loss and regret of moments like that. But God in His wisdom has a place to hide us during such seasons; it's called 'Zoar' a place of restriction and limitation. A good place to recalibrate, review and refocus our priorities. There is no need to be anxious in 'Zoar', embrace your restrictions and live peacefully with the limitation, until God resets your course.
 
That is the ideal…. but Lot was afraid of 'Zoar' and settled for a cave! Running from Zoar only led to more problems and they were huge. The alcohol could never really remove the pain of his loss, and the confusion of incest that overshadowed his family, led to the production of the Ammonites and Moabites. The wickedness of these people cast some of the darkest moral shadows in biblical history. Zoar had to be better than this!
 
If you are in the season of recovery and restoration, rest deeply in the limitations of recuperation that are designed to secure you a better future. Are you facing the challenge of lost opportunity? Don't become a cave dweller, but focus on the mercy and favor of God (19:19; 21) and be grateful that the loss of some things does not mean the loss of everything!
 
Doug Williams (AoG Leadership Team)