Genesis 19:16 KJV
And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

Lot and his family have disregarded the Lord's command to leave Sodom and while they were lingering God's mercy was shone to them.

First we must understand what mercy is. Mercy is not receiving punishment when we deserve it.

Lot deserved punishment because of the lifestyle he was living, but God's mercy was great.

Think for a moment the times that you have blatantly ignored the commandment of the Lord but the Lord was merciful to you.

I think of the song at Calvary. The chorus starts out mercy there was great and grace was free. Think of how Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were sinners Christ died for us. Friend that is mercy.

Mercy was the angels grabbing Lot, his wife and two daughters and bringing them away from Sodom. Mercy was Lot and his family not being destroyed in Sodom.

God spared Lot and his family even though they didn't deserve it.

You and I get to experience Heaven not because we deserve Heaven but because of his mercy!

Notice a few verses on mercy

1 Chronicles 16:34 KJV
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1 Chronicles 16:41 KJV
And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever; 

2 Chronicles 5:13 KJV
It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

2 Chronicles 7:3 KJV
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 23:6 KJV
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 25:7 KJV
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.

Psalm 25:10 KJV
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Think about these verses and think and meditate on the mercies of God.

Lot experienced the mercy of God and we experience his mercy every day.

I encourage you to thank God for his mercy!

Thank you for reading today's fire-starter devotional. Please share this with someone. Also please send your prayer request to Justin@rtfministries.net by tomorrow evening.