Genesis 19 - Safety in the Hands of God

As we enter Genesis chapter 19, we find the three visitors have come to Sodom. Lot is obviously someone the leaders have trusted because he is sitting at the gate to the city having authority to grant or deny access on behalf of the city.

Lot sees these are men of stature and invites them to his home and offers them a meal. When the townsmen come to violate the visitors, Lot attempts to protect them, but in doing so finds he is the one in need of protection. The visitors save Lot and his daughters by striking the villagers with blindness so they cannot find the door.

I am touched by this example because I have heard people claim they needed to do some act contrary to Biblical principles because they were faced with a threat to their safety. We all want to remain safe, but if you are a Christian you will encounter hostilities while living here on earth. God can spare you and He can do it supernaturally if he chooses. Our faith shines most brightly in times of darkness. Our testimony is heard by those who have not trusted in God and may even lead them to a faith in Jesus Christ.

Likewise, the sons-in-law (engaged to be married) are offered safety, but do not accept it and so they suffer the same fate as the rest if the city. Just because someone may refuse the offer of salvation does not mean we should not extend the offer. How many people do we meet daily who because of their demeanor toward God we do not share the gospel? The offer of salvation is available to all who will. God can convict even the hardest of hearts. Our challenge is to extend the offer.

Lots wife could have found safety but some inner force caused her to look back when she was told not to. As a result she was turned into a pillar of salt. There may be some who initially accept the offer of salvation but do not then obey God. These people may think they are saved but follow their own inward leadings will find themselves destroyed as well.

God is a God of love as demonstrated that he remembered his commitment to Abraham and saved Lot and his daughters. But God also must judge sin and that judgement is severe. The only way to have true security is in placing your full faith and trust in Jesus as your only hope of salvation. There are no other ways to Heaven or to a relationship with the Father because we are all sinners and God cannot have fellowship with sin.

My dear friend, if you want to have the hope of salvation and you long for fellowship with God, believe Jesus when he says He is the way the truth and the life no man comes to the Father except through him. If you believe in your heart you can be saved. If you believe, then your obedience will demonstrate the authenticity of your faith. No danger can come to you that God cannot overcome.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that even now you would soften hearts and cause them to look to you for their salvation. I pray that those who have placed their trust in you will find their faith confirmed as they obey you and seek you with their whole hearts. Only you can save and in you we place our trust. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen