Originally posted: 01/18/2019

“But he [Lot] hesitated. So the men seized his hand … for the compassion of the Lord was upon him…” (19:16).

Compassion: “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.”

“But he [Lot] hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city…²⁹ Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived,” (19:16,29).

In the midst of righteous justice, we see the multi-faceted character of Holy God, true to every aspect of Himself. God, the Judge of All the Earth, Righteous in His holy wrath, bestows compassion. God was moved to turn away from judgment in order to extend mercy to Lot, because of Abraham.

Consider His Compassion

His Compassion moved the angels to entreat all of Lot’s family to escape the coming doom. “Then the two men said to Lot, ‘Whom else have you here…whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; ¹³ for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it,’” (19:12-13).

His Compassion did not depend on the actions of Lot. The LORD’s compassion is an extension of Who He is, not of what we do! “But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand…” (19:16).

His Compassion was enacted on behalf of Abraham. “…God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow…” (19:29).

How can we possibly respond to His Compassion?

• Let us take seriously the warnings of God. May we never respond as Lot’s future sons-in-law, and misconstrue the magnitude of God’s compassionate forewarning. In God’s great Compassion, He has given us His Word whereby we are able to recognize and evaluate our actions, thoughts and motives that lead to devastation and destruction in our lives.
  • For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do, (Hebrews 4:12-13).

• When we are tempted and He has compassionately sent His warning, let us not presume upon His Compassion, expecting some supernatural rescue. He provides a way out (usually, it’s a matter of surrendering our will to His). Let us grab hold of His offer of escape!
  • No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it, (1 Corinthians 10:13).
    • May we never hesitate, but always rush to His provision of escape.

• Remember His Compassion is not dependent on us! Choose to live every day with overflowing gratitude for His kindness and compassion.
  • But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, ⁵ He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:4-5).
    • Such great Compassion!

• Intercede for our loved ones. Consider the impact of Abraham’s time of intercession in Genesis 18. Who are the “Lots” in our lives who are desperate for His Compassion? Let us earnestly employ the responsibility and privilege of prayer for others.
  • Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others, (Philippians 2:3-4).
    • What better way to look out for the interests of others than to intercede for them, that they too may experience His Compassion!

Let’s Grow Together!