Genesis 19, the scene of the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, is one of those scenes of grace that many
overlook. They see it just as a scene of
judgment, but it was much more. Abraham
had pleaded with God for the righteous to be spared the searing judgment of His
wrath. God was gracious to Abraham and
acceded to his petition. Lot, who the
New Testament describes as a righteous man, was saved from the destruction that
befell all the unjust in those two prominent cities. God was gracious to Lot even though he lived
among and was clearly tarnished by the sins around him.
Eliza Morris has written a mostly
forgotten hymn that covers both the grace shown to Abraham and the grace shown
to Lot. Her hymn is titled “God of Pity,
God of Grace”. She begins by asking God
to hear our prayers as Abraham entreated God for the righteous who yet dwelled
in Sodom. This verse reads, “God of
pity, God of grace, when we humbly seek Thy face, bend from Heav’n, Thy
dwelling place; hear, forgive, and save.”
Her second verse picks up the theme and in the last two lines says,
“Pleading at Thy mercy seat, look from Heav’n and save.” The God of pity and grace did indeed hear the
prayer of Abraham and in His marvelous pity and grace answered his prayer.
As if seeing the whole scenario of
Genesis 18 and 19 before her as she wrote, Eliza now turns to Lot. In verse 4 of this extraordinarily beautiful
hymn she writes, “Should we wander from Thy fold, and our love to Thee grow
cold, with a pitying eye behold; Lord, forgive and save.” Eliza knew that Lot was not alone in making
bad choices. We all do and we all need
to fall on our Father’s loving grace to restore our pure fellowship with
Him.
Psalm 103:13 says, “Like as a father
pities his children, so the LORD pities them that fear him.” The publican stood in the temple and said,
“Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” Paul
wrote, “By grace you have been saved through faith.” He also wrote, “Grace be unto you and
peace.” Eliza has captured in her hymn
all these expressions of hope for the child of God. Rejoice in His grace, mercy, pity and peace
today.
You
may also enjoy this inspirational devotional book, The Gospel According to Molly,
available
here:
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