OUR DAILY BREAD : RESCUING THE RELUCTANT

[cimi]

MONDAY JUNE 29


RESCUING THE RELUCTANT

READ:
GENESIS 19:16
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The men took hold
of his hand,...
the LORD being
merciful to him,
and they...set
him outside the
city.
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Many years ago during a water safety class, we were taught how to save a drowning person who is resisting rescue. "Approach the person from behind," the instructor told us. "Place one arm across the person's chest and flailing arms, and swim toward safety. If you approach from the front, the person may grab you and pull both of you down." panic and fear can paralyze the ability to think and act wisely.

When two angels sent by God came to rescue Lot and his family from the impending destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (GEN. 19:12-13), they encountered resistance. Lot's sons-in-law thought the warning was a joke (v.14). When the angels told lot to hurry and leave, He hesitated (v.15). At that point, the two angels "took hold of his hand, his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters," and led them safely out of the city because God was merciful toward them (v.16).

When we reflect on our journey of faith in Christ we can see God's faithfulness in overcoming our reluctance and resistance. When we encounter people lashing out in spiritual desperation

**Father, as I look at my own heart, I know I have resisted You and have
been reluctant at times to come to You. Thank You for Your mercy.
Help me to share with others who you are.

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God's mercy can overcome our resistance.

******************************Today's Bible Reading __ Genesis 19:12-25**************************
12 Then the men said to Lot, "Have you anyone else here?
Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever
you have in the city__take them out of this place! 13 For
we will destroy this place, because the outcry against
them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the
LORD has sent us to destroy it."

14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law...and said,
"Get up, get out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this
city!" But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.

15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry,
saying, "Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are
here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city."

16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand,
his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD
being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him
outside the city. 17 So it came to pass, when they had brought
them outside, that he said, "Escape for you life! Do not look
behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the
mountains, lest you be destroyed."

18 Then Lot said to them, "Please, no, my lords! 19 Indeed
now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have
increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my
life.... 20 See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a
little one; please let me escape there...."

21 And he said to him, "See, I have favored you concerning
this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which
you have spoken. 22 Hurry, escape there...."

24 Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom
and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 So He
overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the
cities, and what grew on the ground.