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…29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. (Gen. 19:16, 29 NIV)
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the darkest moments in Genesis. Sulphur and fire out of heaven rain down on the cities. Smoke like that of a furnace rises up from the valley in the aftermath.
But in the mess, mercy. In the wreckage, remembrance. Even amidst the darkness, there is light.
The story is a reminder of the way in which God’s mercy breaks through even in the worst of circumstances. Even in times of terror, there are moments of mercy.
Looking back through painful situations, we can often identify ways in which God’s mercy and kindness broke through. In the compassionate gesture of another person. In the peaceful respite found one day. In an unexpected gift that arrived. In a word from Scripture or a feeling of divine presence.
Even in the mess, there is mercy.
Prayer: “Thank you Father providing your mercy even in the greatest of messes. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
Action Step: Reflect on a difficult time in your past. Identify some of the ways in which God’s compassion and mercy manifested themselves during that time. Give thanks to God for this.
