Daily Reading: Genesis 19
Scripture Focus: This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them. (Genesis 19.9)
Devotional Thought: It has become accepted behavior in our culture to engage in sex outside marriage and in homosexual acts. But, God's Word has not changed. The truth remains today, just as unflinching as it was in the days of Lot. So many in the church, however, have adopted political and cultural expediency over the plain truth of Scripture. I sometimes wonder, "When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18.8)
When the messengers of God left Abraham and appeared in Sodom and Gomorrah, the sinful citizens of those towns lusted after them, pressuring them to join in their sin. Lot, however, stood in the way. The men became angry and threatened to make Lot pay dearly. That sounds so familiar!
Sin is a jealous and insecure master, angered and threatened by any opposing views. Sin will cast judgment on others but refuse to tolerate any judgment on itself. That is why you read about bakers being sued by same-sex couples and pro-life advocates being cast as anti-woman. That is why cohabitating couples will lash out at anybody questioning the wisdom of their choices. That is why the First Lady of the United States is ridiculed for reading the Lord's Prayer. That is why 'safe spaces' and 'trigger warnings' are needed on college campuses. When you think about it, it is inconsistent and even hypocritical to cast judgment on others for judging! But, there is nothing consistent and sincere about sin.
As we read in the account of Lot, this is nothing new. But, let us - as the people of God - stand upon the Word of God. Not in judgment, but in love.
Prayer: Father, thank you for giving us your Word to lead us to happy, healthy and holy living. Help us to hide your Word in our hearts that we might not sin against you. And, Lord, grant that mercy will always triumph over judgment in our hearts and attitudes. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; 26 with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. 27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. 28 For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. 29 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 30 This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (Psalms 18:25-30)
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