In our chapter God tells us of a battle which took place in the vale of Siddim. This valley was full of slime-pits, and it would remind us of the character of this poor, sinful world which is filled with snares and pitfalls of all kinds. Oh how many dear boys and girls are caught in the slippery paths of sin and fall there, just as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fell in the valley of Siddim. No doubt these kings thought they could get safely through the valley. They thought they could escape the slime-pits, but they could not, and they fell there. This should be a solemn warning to us, for we are sometimes very self-confident, and think we are safe, even at times when we are in great danger. God’s Word has marked out the right path through this dark world, and we are only safe when walking in obedience to Him.
Brought Out of a Horrible Pit
Let us remember the necessity of the daily reading of the Word and prayer, for one wrong act leads to another, and it is much easier to get into the “slime-pits” than to get out of them. The Scriptures tell us, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:3434Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (John 8:34)). No true child of God can ever be lost, but Satan knows how to trip us up, and we should hearken to the warnings God has given us in His Word.
Perhaps some of our young readers are unsaved and have fallen in the snares of sin, and you know you cannot deliver yourself. We have good news for you! The Lord can deliver you. Yes, He is able and willing to do it — wondrous Saviour! David the king speaks of this blessed fact in Psalm 40. “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” The Lord will do all this, and more, for any sinner who calls upon Him. The Rock upon whom we are set is Christ, and the song is unto Him who has redeemed us. Will you let Him save you today?
Satisfaction in Him
Lot dwelt in Sodom, and so he had his sad part in this great battle. Yes, if we try to fit in with, and find our portion in this Sodom world, we will have to share its sorrows. Abram was outside of all these worldly battles and struggles, for the Lord was the portion of his inheritance. He did not need to seek after the “well watered plains” of Sodom. He was truly satisfied with his tent and altar, because he had the promises of God. “He looked for a city which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God” (Hebrews 11:1010For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:10)).
Those of us who are saved have all we need in Christ. We are passing through this world it is true, but our home is with Christ in glory. If we have learned to find our satisfaction in Him, we will soon find that the vanities of this dark scene are no better than the boasted treasures of Sodom. May our hearts be able to say like one of old, “I have Christ, what want I more!”
Further Meditation
1. What was dangerous about the Vale of Siddim?
2. Reading God’s Word can help keep us out of the “slime-pits.” What are some ways that the Lord uses His Word to direct our steps? You’ll find several in Psalm 119.
3. An excellent encouragement to prayerfully read God’s Word is the booklet The Bible: Its Sufficiency and Supremacy by C. H. Mackintosh.