Genesis 19:16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.

The whole story of Sodom is extremely relevant for America today, for obvious reasons. Those in the homosexual camp try to insist that the sin of Sodom was lack of hospitality, but that is a real stretch. Actually, the violence displayed by the men of Sodom is all too common among homosexuals today, with the preponderance of pedophilia being homosexual. The theme for the readings from this point being mercy, it’s important to note that it was because of God’s mercy that the angels forcibly removed Lot, his wife and daughters from their home. At first glance, abduction might not seem very merciful! After all, they had to leave everything behind, and were literally penniless refugees. I am reminded of an interview I saw recently on the Internet with a young Iraqi Christian girl living in a refugee camp. She said she missed her home and village, and especially a particular friend, but she recognized that God had been merciful to her and her family, and she even sang a very touching worship song. We sometimes fail to recognize God’s mercy because we want His indulgence instead. However, God is holy, and trying to ignore or forget that is ultimately fatal. We don’t recognize God’s mercy, or our need for it, because we fail to fear God. In Psalm 36 David wrote very incisively about those who ignore God: “There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.” (Psalm 36:1-2) Such a person will not receive God’s mercy because he doesn’t acknowledge that he needs it.

Well, this certainly seems like a downer! However, as I have experienced countless times myself, God gives us opportunities to recognize and confess our sins, and that is mercy indeed. I am never to think I have earned His mercy, because it is all grace, that is, unmerited favor. I must be quick to repent and receive His forgiveness, but never cheapen that grace by taking it for granted. Forgiveness does not come without repentance! Thinking it does is the very definition of “cheap grace,” as Bonhoeffer wrote so powerfully. As a pastor I must not be a purveyor of cheap grace, but insist that repentance and faith are the keys to a relationship with a merciful God.

Father, thank You for Your incredible grace and mercy. Help me indeed never take them lightly, for myself or as I speak with others. May we as a church worship You in righteousness and holiness, not overlooking what You hate but letting Your love flow through us in power, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!