Living in California, I am no stranger to earthquakes. As a child my big sister and I shared a room for several years and if there was ever an earthquake at night I had to drag her out of bed and lead her to safety. Her phobia began after surviving the most devastating earthquake in Guatemala history and every time thereafter an earthquake would immediately paralyze her with fear. Frozen, she would sit in silent panic. So, I would take her by the hand and walk her over to the door frame of the house. (Is that still the protocol? Someone comment if I should be getting under a table instead. Though I don’t know how much I trust my tables to hold up.)
In Genesis 19, two angels visit Lot in Sodom before completely destroying the city – a city so corrupt, even Abraham couldn’t convince God to spare it. (Genesis 18:16-33) Not long after they arrive they realize it’s time to go.
“With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, ‘Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.’ When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.“
Genesis 19:15-16
Can you imagine this scene?
ANGEL 1: We have to go. Get your wife and daughters.
LOT: Sweetie, these men say we need to go with them. Can you get the girls?
LOT'S WIFE: What?! Lot, how could you do this to me? You know I just rearranged the furniture! What about the new olive tree I just planted in the backyard? I'll just stay here and wait for you.
ANGEL 2: Lot, HURRY!
LOT: Girls, hurry we have to go. Help your mom.
Daughters: No way Dad. We have a date tonight and we still have to do our hair.
The angels, reflecting God’s mercy take the family by the hand and lead them out of the city. I can’t imagine this being a slow stroll down the street. But God loves us enough to drag us out of trouble. Maybe we’re paralyzed in fear as my sister is when she hears the rumbling announcing seismic activity, or aloof to the imminent danger lurking as Lot seemed in Sodom. Either way, we need saving and God in his mercy is willing to take us by the hand and lead us to safety. At just the right time God rescues us. He knows us well enough to know when we need a little extra guidance. We don’t always recognize him. We think we are missing out on something, or that God is unfairly withholding a blessing, forcing us into an undesirable situation. But perhaps if we look back we can actually see him grasping our hand and leading us to safety. If we reflect on some of the key moments in our lives, we may see a God who loves us enough to drag us out of trouble.
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