The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way. (Genesis 19:1-2)
As we read on in this chapter, we again see that wonderful hospitality. Lot convinces the strangers to stay at his house and makes a feast for them. But it turns out that the people of Sodom were wicked: “the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them’” (Genesis 19:4–5; this “knowing” means “to have sex with”).
While the angels don’t find the ten righteous people in Sodom that would have stayed the Lord’s judgement, the Lord did have mercy on Lot and the angels urged him and his family to flee the city before the Lord rained down sulfur and fire from heaven.
“So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived” (Genesis 19:29).
God is both just and merciful. He is patient and would rather the wicked turn from their wicked ways to Him, “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). But He will judge. Those who follow God do not have to worry, as God will take care of them.
When I remember what a proud little atheist I was, I am so grateful for God’s mercy in opening my eyes to His reality. And He has been very patient with me as I seek to follow Him, gently revealing my pride and other sin “which clings so closely” (Hebrews 12:1) that I may repent and continue to follow Him.
Prayer: Thank you for Your patience and mercy. May I take neither of them for granted, but rather may I always seek to live a life pleasing to You, not bowing to peer pressure, political correctness, or allowing anything to move me from following You. This I pray not only for myself but also for each member of my family. Amen.
