While he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, . . . the Lord being merciful to him. —Genesis 19:16

A newsletter of the Procrastinators' Club of America is printed every so often and is free to members of their organization. A sample from one edition reads:

"Please forgive us this one time, but the president's message, which was planned to appear in this space, missed our late deadline, and we promise to make every effort to get a message prepared in time for our next issue, if and when it comes out, provided we're not pushed or rushed into it and end up with a message as inferior as this one would have been."

Sometimes procrastination is funny. But as Genesis 19 reveals, a delayed response to God's commands is serious business. When the Lord told Lot to get his family out of Sodom and run for his life, he acted appropriately at first (v.14). But then he lingered in the city until the angels of God grabbed his hand and took him out (v.16). If the Lord had not mercifully overruled Lot's procrastination, he and his entire family would have been destroyed.

Lord, we are often like Lot. Please be merciful to us, as You were to him. We know that we should be as quick to do Your will as Jesus was. We need the help of Your Holy Spirit to enable us to give You the prompt obedience that You so much deserve.

-MRDII

Putting Off Procrastination
What important thing have you been putting off?
When will you do it?


One of Satan's most effective "wiles" is "wait awhile."