Good Morning.
When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 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 19:15-16)
It’s almost unbelievable that Lot had to be urged to leave, and even then he was hesitant. That the angels had to grab him and make him go says, well, a lot about Lot. But this was done because of “the LORD being merciful unto him.” Have you ever wondered why God was so merciful to him? I’m convinced it was due to Abraham’s relationship with God and the fact that Abraham had asked God to spare the righteous. But even though Abraham’s righteousness benefited Lot, he still had the responsibility to act.=
Righteous people can be saved miraculously while everything falls around them but they still have the responsibility to heed God’s instruction. Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD but still had to build an ark. The Israelites were destined to come out of Egypt but they still had to put the blood of the lamb upon their doors. The congregation of Philadelphia is promised protection in midst of the great trial because they have been faithful to their responsibility.
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep (guard) you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
The day in which we live is precarious to say the least; we need God’s protection and deliverance and we are to believe Him for it. But we must also embrace the notion that we have a responsibility in our deliverance. Had Lot chosen to remain in Sodom, he too would have been destroyed; the angels told him so. So then, we must heed God’s voice and act when He speaks knowing that He is faithful to deliver His people from destruction. And if we are to heed His voice, then we must be able to recognize His voice above all others.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments