Genesis 14:16: “So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.”

September 29th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Five Canaanite cities, including Sodom and Gomorrah, had been serving four Mesopotamian kings for 12 years when they decided to rebel. As a result the 4 Mesopotamian kings came and fought against the 5 Canaanite kings. The Mesopotamian kings won and took “all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah,” including Lot, who was living in Sodom. When Abraham was told of Lot’s capture, he took a small army out after them and brought back all the goods and all the people.

It is interesting that Abraham didn’t just rescue Lot and all his goods, but he also brought back everything that belonged to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and returned it to them. We see God’s mercy and kindness toward these two cities in this. The New Testament reminds us in Romans 2:4, “knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance.” When we remember the dreadful future coming to these people of Sodom and Gomorrah, we must also stop and remember the mercy God extended to them. God’s servant Abraham had been given power to deliver every one of them, completely. The rescue was inclusive, so why were they not changed? In fact, they only turned to a life even more full of sin after this rescue; sin so sweeping it required God’s intervention.

What has God rescued and returned us to safety from? It might be wise to think on this and make sure we aren’t missing God’s kindness that He is extending to us in order to draw us back to Him. Maybe you’ve heard the story of the atheist who said, “If there is a God, may He prove Himself by striking me dead right now!” When nothing happened to him, he boasted, “See, I told you there is no God!” His friend responded, “My friend, you have only proved that He is a gracious and longsuffering God!” Charles Spurgeon once said:

Notice, dear Friends, that the Lord does not drive you to repentance. Cain was driven away as a fugitive and a vagabond when he had killed his righteous brother Abel. Judas went and hanged himself, being driven by an anguish of remorse because of what he had done in betraying his Lord. But the sweetest and best repentance is that which comes, not by driving, but by drawing—”The goodness of God leads to repentance.”

Is God leading you right now? He is patiently waiting for you to turn.

“LORD, we do not take Your kindness lightly but graciously thank You for it again this day.”