And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.—Genesis 19:16
THIS! The men, at God’s merciful behest, took hold of not only Lot’s hand, but the hands of the people he loved as well and brought them outside the city. I love thinking on that picture.
And Abraham came near and said, "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?—Genesis 18:23
Abraham got his answer from God right here…No, I will not destroy the righteous with the wicked. Before judgment came the Lord had to rescue righteous Lot.
If you know anything about Lot, than you know that from the outside he did not “look” righteous. (See Genesis 19). But thankfully God, sees our hearts and imputes His righteousness to us by faith alone.
and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment—2 Peter 2:6-9
Beloved…Right here…even in the midst of one of the most sordid stories in the Bible…God’s grace shines. In judgment God always remembers mercy. As His beloved, we are not destined for wrath. As I thought more about God’s gracious rescue of Lot, I also thought about the mercy and favor He showed me at salvation. And not only that…but also the mercy and favor He shows me continually…moment by precious moment. His merciful lovingkindness is always before my eyes. One of my favorite verses in the Bible to pray is this one:
Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;
And then there are these from Psalm 103 to remind us that He does and will deal graciously with those that are His.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.—Psalm 103:8-14
And Isaiah 43 to remind us that we are His and He is with us.
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;—Isaiah 43:1-3
What a gift this morning to think on our God’s mercy both to us and to those we love. May His mercy and truth never forsake us. May He bind them around our neck and may He write them on the tablet of our heart.
Oh Father! May we…Your beloved…be merciful as You are merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment and Your perfect love covers a multitude of sins. By Your Spirit of grace may we extend the merciful lovingkindness You have shown us to the people that You have so graciously and lovingly placed in our lives.
