Let’s Linger No Longer!

But he lingered… So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand—the LORD being merciful to him. (Genesis 19:16)

We all know the story of Lot. He chose to live in a city steeped in wickedness, and though God warned him of its impending destruction, he hesitated. He lingered—even when judgment was near. It took the mercy of God for the messengers to literally take him and his family by the hand and lead them out.

Could that be our story too?

How often have we felt a gentle tug in our spirit, urging us to walk away from things that are worldly, harmful, or spiritually draining—but we lingered? How many times have we sensed the Lord calling us into deeper prayer, intimacy, and time in His Word, but remained in a place of passivity or distraction?

There are times when we know what we need to do—to stop conforming to the patterns of the world and allow God to renew our minds and pour out His grace—but still, we delay. And sometimes, delay carries a cost. Lot’s wife looked back—and that one moment of hesitation turned into her undoing. She never got another chance.

Like the father in the story of the prodigal son, our Heavenly Father waits patiently—longing for us to return. Will we continue feeding on the empty "carob pods" of the world, or will we rise up, shake off the dust, and say, “Lord, I’m done lingering. I’m coming home to You”

One phrase in this passage stands out: “the LORD being merciful to him.”

It wasn’t Lot’s wisdom or strength that saved him—it was the sheer mercy of God. And that same mercy is available to us today. He is full of compassion, abounding in patience, and always ready to lift us out of any pit—if we are simply willing.

So let’s not linger any longer. Let’s run to the cross. Let’s return to prayer, return to His Word, and ask Him to restore the joy of our salvation. Let’s fall into the arms of our merciful Savior and make a firm decision to walk away from the distractions of this world and into the fullness of God’s purpose for us.

No more delay. No more hesitation.

Let’s linger no longer.