READING: Genesis 17-19
“Because of the Lord’s compassion for him. . . .”
Genesis 19:16
Lot knew without question that God was going to bring judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. The angels had made it clear to him more than once. The wrath of God was about to fall – but still, Lot hesitated at the gate (Gen. 19:16). He lingered there, knowing judgment was imminent.
Perhaps he was so struck with fear that he could not move. Maybe he was so concerned about his future sons-in-law in the city that he struggled leaving them behind. It’s possible that even this righteous man was also too connected to his “stuff” still in the city. Whatever his motive was, Lot lingered at the gate—and only by the intervention of God’s angels did he get out of the city. In fact, God’s mercy made all the difference: “Because of the Lord’s compassion for him, the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters. They brought him out and left him outside the city” (Gen. 19:16). Abraham’s prayer for the righteous (Gen. 18:22-33; 19:27-29) paid off, as God “rescued righteous Lot, distressed by the depraved behavior of the immoral” (2 Pet. 2:7).
To be honest, I can only wonder how many times I’ve lingered on the edge of sin, but God kept me away from it because somebody was praying for me. A Sunday school teacher. My pastor. A friend. A college professor. A seminary dean. My wife. Only God knows how often He has sent the angels in response to somebody’s prayers to rescue me just in time. Indeed, those who intercede for us are gifts of His compassion to us.
ACTION STEPS:
- Make sure you have prayer partners who pray for you daily.
- Begin to intercede for someone else today—perhaps someone for whom you’ve never prayed that way.
PRAYER: “God, thank You for my prayer partners. Thank You for sending angels my way.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Genesis 20-23