The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah can feel like an odd interlude in the middle of Abraham’s narrative. In the previous chapter, the three visitors told Abraham and Sarah that they would indeed have a son within the year. Then, seemingly out of the blue, we are introduced to God’s plan concerning the two evil cities.

God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah entirely, yet he spared one man – Lot – and his family. Lot reminds us of another one who was spared of God’s judgment, Noah. And as with Noah, the message of Lot’s salvation from destruction is one of grace. God saved Lot by grace. God saved Noah by grace. God was working in and through Abraham by grace. And God does the same for us – God saves us and uses us by grace alone.

• How has God been gracious to you this past week?