When you hear of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Probably destruction, right? The destruction of those two cities by God stands as one of Scripture’s most sobering displays of divine judgment. Genesis 19 reveals a city so corrupted that not even ten righteous people could be found within it. The outcry against their sin had reached Heaven, and God’s patience had reached its end.

And so, we read there in Genesis, “Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.” And so, all through the years, Sodom and Gomorrah have become a symbol of God’s judgment and destruction.

But what we often miss in that passage is the amazing act of mercy shown in the midst of that judgment. You see, before the sulfur fell, the Lord remembered Abraham and sent angels to rescue his nephew Lot. They came to him with urgency: “Hurry! Get out of this place!” The angels physically seized Lot’s hand when he hesitated, pulling him to safety. This wasn’t earned. Lot had compromised by choosing Sodom and had acted in other foolish ways. Yet God rescued him anyway.

This passage confronts us with an uncomfortable truth: God’s holiness cannot tolerate sin indefinitely. He is patient, but judgment is real. However, it also reveals stunning mercy: God extracts His people even when they’re entangled in wickedness, even when they’re reluctant to leave.

We see the ultimate fulfillment of this salvation from destruction in Christ, who endured God’s judgment for sin on the cross so we could escape destruction. Like Lot, we don’t deserve rescue. Like the angels’ urgent plea, God’s call today is clear: “Flee from the wrath to come!” Don’t look back at the world’s attractions. Run to Jesus, where mercy triumphs over judgment.

Change begins in you!