A RIGHT ATTITUDE

Today’s Reading: Genesis 18-19

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

Mount Sodom runs along the southwestern part of the Dead Sea, where Lot’s wife looked back from the mountain and was turned into a pillar of salt. It is most remarkable, because the mountain is made almost entirely of halite, or rock salt. It is approximately 8 km long, 5 km wide, 742 feet (226 m) above the Dead Sea, yet 557 feet (170 m) below sea level.

Key Verse: Genesis 18:17

And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing…”

Before judgment, God always gives an opportunity for mercy. Abraham interceded with the Lord, asking Him to spare Sodom, and He finally settled on ten righteous people who would be sufficient to protect the city from destruction. Lot probably had at least that number in his household. However, only Lot, himself, was found to be righteous. God reveals His plans to someone so that they can pray fervently and give warning of impending judgment. For example: Noah before the flood; the increasing severity of the plagues before the final judgment on Egypt; the warnings of Jesus Himself before the destruction of Jerusalem, and others that I could mention. Abraham’s attitude (NIV) or mind (NKJV) was for mercy and not judgment. He experienced mercy himself in the promise of the birth of a son with his wife Sarah.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, I intercede through the Person of Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Saviour. I pray for the protection of people everywhere. I pray for all to open their hearts to Your mercy shown in sending Your Son to save them. I pray for the soul-winning outreach of the ministry sponsoring this Blog, Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. I pray for Lorna Dueck, our Chief Executive Officer, and for all who work with Crossroads, in order to bring men, women, boys and girls to Yourself. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The cause of protecting humanity’s oldest covenant, “marriage between one man and one woman,” has moved me deeply. First of all, with permission from the owners, I did several focus groups about same-sex marriages with mechanics at garages during their lunch hour. When I asked them about “marriage” they would talk about their parents and grandparents, and even their own marriages. Then one of them would say something like this, “#*@!!, I guess marriage doesn’t mean anything anymore.” I went into prolonged prayer most of one night, and I believe God said to me, “You must not go public on this issue unless you have the ‘attitude’ which Abraham showed toward Sodom.” I believe God gave me a gift of a loving approach to all who support same-sex unions, while standing firmly for traditional marriage. According to Jesus, one man/one woman is God’s plan (Matthew 19:4-6). When God’s purposes are deliberately violated, the human family eventually brings judgment upon itself. I pray fervently for God to hold back judgment and to continue to extend mercy.

Yours because of His mercy,

David