Reading: We’ve now studied the righteous judgement of God. However, there is one last part of God’s judgement that we haven’t studied yet — and Peter is going to use the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 to show us. The final truth of God’s judgement we are going to see can be condensed into this statement: 

When God sends destruction on the ungodly, he commands deliverance for the righteous. 

A key passage in our reading today, that puts a magnifying glass over this truth, is found in 2 Peter 2:9 when he says, “if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgement.” So, what is the “if this is so”? Why is Lot called “righteous” in our reading? What is this story of Sodom and Gomorrah anyways? 

Today, turn to Genesis 19 in your Bible or app and read verses 1 through 19. It is interesting that Lot is termed “righteous” in our reading in 2 Peter, isn’t it? We know that Lot has authority in Sodom and is given high status (v.1), even the most wicked know his name (v.5), and he has become complacent with the sin around him (v.6-8). We even read how reluctant Lot is to leave the city despite its pending doom (v.16). Lot and his family were entrenched in the sin of the city so much so that it clouded their thinking and devotion to God. It is hard to imagine that with all of these things considered, he would be spared from the city’s annihilation. Despite this, the angels literally grab him with their hands to lead him and his family away from Sodom and Gomorrah (v.16). God showed him mercy. 

Peter tells us that Lot was “tormented” by the filthiness around him, which made him distressed. Up to this point, and the vast majority of his life, Lot was remarkably imperfect. He had been rescued once before by Abraham, and he was instinctually selfish and was familiar with sin (Genesis 19:30-38). 

In verse 29 of chapter 19, we read of a profound message weaved into the goodness of God’s judgement. Genesis 19:29 reads, “So when God destroyed the cities of the plain (Sodom and Gomorrah), he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.” Previously in Genesis 18:16-33, Abraham begged God to provide mercy to the people and to Lot — if God could find even ten people that were righteous. Abraham knew God, and knew the power of his justice. Even more so, Abraham knew the need for the punishment of sin. Abraham knew all of these things, but still calls that God spare them from destruction. Why does he do this? Because Abraham knows that while God is full of justice, he is equally as full of mercy. God remembered Abraham, and delivered on his mercy by sparing Lot and his family.

What is beautiful about this story, is that we are offered the same mercy of God that Lot experienced. We are deserving of destruction similarly to Sodom and Gomorrah. Any sin in our life, no matter how big or small we may believe it to be, is deserving of punishment. Our lives are littered with sin that we cannot cleanse ourselves from. The judgement of God is our destiny that we cannot escape. Yet still, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We have “an Abraham” that pleads for the mercy of God and intercedes on our behalf in Jesus. Not only so, but Christ takes our place in the city. He bears the wrath of God for our sin in our place. Christ gives us new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) and offers us a new hope in himself. The God who spoke the world and you into existence, truly loves us. 

John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send him Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.“ Do you believe this? Have you tasted God’s mercy and grace in your life? Have you become complacent with sin like Lot and his family? Will you run from sin and accept the mercy you have in Christ?

Reflection:  What sins are easy to become complacent with in your life? What are your struggles? 

Prayer Prompt: Turn to Psalm 32 and pray it today. Thank him for his mercy in your life!