Genesis 14

When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan … Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
(Genesis 14:14,16)

The story of Lot’s rescue reminds me of loved ones (family and friends) who do not yet know Christ; who refuse Him or walk away from Him or simply want nothing to do with Him for one reason or another. When I think that these dear ones will one day have to face the wrath of God, I tremble and want to do all I can to rescue them by telling them the Good News of salvation through Jesus.

I can imagine Abram being concerned for his worldly, comfort-loving and  pleasure-pursuing nephew who had walked away from him and the blessings and promises of God. Upon hearing that destruction and captivity had caught up with Lot, Abram went all out to get him and all the captives back. Sadly, none of them stayed with Abram. They were happy to enjoy the relief and rescue for a moment but were unwilling to continue with Abram in the call of God.

Does this hit home for you like it does for me? When your siblings, family, friends and co-workers seem to be so close to the path of life and then they walk away! Just when God works providentially in their lives to help, protect, provide for them, they quickly forget and move on in sin like nothing happened. O the hardheartedness that is so common to the fallen human heart! Were it not for His grace and mercy in snatching us from the pit of hell, we would all be lost!

But like with Abram, God chooses to turn our hearts to him so that we begin to love Him, obey Him and walk with Him in faith. When God does so, He wants us to spread this Good News of His redemption all over the world that all men may trust in Him as the only God and Saviour for sinners. Let’s go and  tell the world that “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). God bless you as you share the Gospel with others.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.