Called out of Sin into the Safety that is in Christ; Genesis 19

"And he pressed up them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house: and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat" (Genesis 19:3).

Doth not the reader call to mind Him, who in the days of His flesh was constrained in like manner, cf. Luke 24:28-29.

And is not the reader's heart prompted by the view of both scriptures to constrain Jesus also, to enter and tarry with him.

Oh! for a spirit of heart-wrestling with God our Saviour, not to be refused!

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"And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed" (Genesis 19:17).

1 Kings 19:3.

And what is the cry of God in the soul of every truly awakened believer, but the same:

Escape for thy life from sin: look not back with any hankering after the world!

Neither stay thyself upon any creature-righteousness, or creature-enjoyments: but flee unto the rock Christ Jesus, lest thou be consumed!

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"The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar" (Genesis 19:23).

Jesus the Sun of righteousness may be said to be arisen on the soul when the faithful enter within His shelter; cf. Malachi 4:2, Isaiah 32:2.

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Reader! what various views ...

• of men and things,

• of mercy and judgment,

• of grace and nature,

• and the very different terminations between the righteous and the wicked, doth this chapter furnish.

Gracious God! let it be my mercy to be called out of Sodom; to disregard the reproaches of the ungodly, and resolutely, like Lot, to bear an open testimony against them.

And when in tenderness to my lingering footsteps, Thou layest Thy gracious hand upon me, oh! for Thy quickening power in my soul also, that I may hasten to the Zoar of safety, even to the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone delivereth from the wrath to come!