January 8

Genesis 18:16-19:38, Matthew 6:25-7:14, Psalm 8:1-9, Proverbs 2:6-15 



Pray:  Jesus gives us permission today in the reading to seek, keep knocking, and to keep asking. Seldom do we believe that God really wants to hear from us, but He does. So ask boldly today for God to meet the needs of you and your family. Intercede for others who may be struggling with physical, emotional or spiritual needs.

Read:  As you read today’s passage we notice that Abraham intercedes for his nephew Lot. As you read, it may be shocking to realize that God will not destroy the city, and He doesn’t want to destroy the city.  If God can find 50, 40, 30, 20 or even 10 righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, He will spare the city. God is just, but look for ways the Lord reveals that He is still merciful. Look to see that the Lord’s will is still done though Lot negotiates for other things.

Edify: The two angels appear to answer the prayer of Abraham to spare Lot and his family from the destruction which is coming to Sodom.  The sin is so great and outlandish among the men of Sodom that they want to have sex with the angels. As we read that Lot asked to be sent to another town we quickly understand that God is only destroying Sodom for its great depravity. Why just Sodom and the villages around it? Why not other towns which must have some sin, as all people sin? God did not destroy Sodom because it had sin. God destroyed Sodom because it sanctioned sin! Sodom and Gomorrah called good evil and evil was called good. Sodom sanctioned all forms of sexual sins and God cannot tolerate the sanctioning of any sin. The passage does show a merciful God but not one who tolerates the sanctioning of sin.

Practice: Jesus teaches us to boldly and persistently share the concerns of our heart to a compassionate God. Moreover, Jesus gives us one of the greatest principles in governing relationships with family, marriages, communities and even nations: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Today let us practice the “Golden Rule” as we seek to honor others as we want to be honored and to value others as we want to be valued.