God Knows!

I don’t know what the population of the world was at the time of Noah, but the Scriptures tell us the world’s condition; a wickedness of man so great “that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” ( Genesis 6:5 ESV) What a horrible picture of humanity! However, there was a man named Noah who was described as “A RIGHTEOUS MAN” ( Genesis 6:9) whom God had build an ark for the salvation of his family and the preservation of the creatures of the earth.

During the days of Abraham, there were some cities filled with wicked people. When God revealed His plan to Abraham that these cities were going to be destroyed, Abraham had A CONCERN FOR THE RIGHTEOUS. ( Genesis 18:23) Would God sweep them away along with the wicked? Had there been even as few as ten RIGHTEOUS individuals within the city of Sodom, God would have been willing to spare it. ( Genesis 18:32) How low would God have gone we don’t know, because it was at ten that Abraham ceased to ask. However, God did rescue four souls: Lot, his wife (though she disobeyed and looked back), and his two daughters.

As Abraham began to question God, he made the following statement regarding God’s character.

“FAR BE IT FROM YOU TO DO SUCH A THING, TO PUT THE RIGHTEOUS TO DEATH WITH THE WICKED, SO THAT THE RIGHTEOUS FARE AS THE WICKED! FAR BE THAT FROM YOU! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”” ( Genesis 18:25 ESV)

Do we find encouragement in Abraham’s observation? He acknowledged GOD’S MINDFULNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS. He understood God’s ability to discern a difference between those who acknowledged Him and those who did not! We should find encouragement in this reality. Even Peter, as he encouraged those to whom he wrote, tried to encourage them with this truth.

Regarding the time of the flood, Peter wrote…

“(20) because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, EIGHT PERSONS [Gk. “souls”], WERE BROUGHT SAFELY THROUGH WATER.” ( 1 Peter 3:20 ESV)

Then Peter wrote regarding the time of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah…

“(6) if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; (7) and if HE RESCUED RIGHTEOUS LOT, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (8) (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);” ( 2 Peter 2:6-8 ESV)

Pressing the encouraging point of GOD’S MINDFULNESS of those who seek Him and His Will, Peter went on to state…

“(9) then THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO RESCUE THE GODLY FROM TRIALS, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, (10) and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.” ( 2 Peter 2:9-10 ESV)

The great encouragement I see here for us is that no matter how awful the world may get around us, GOD IS STILL MINDFUL of those who acknowledge Him and His Will and seek to please Him. Our eternity is not determined by the actions of others. Though we may receive much encouragement from one another in ways that help us to maintain the relationship, our relationship with God is still very much an individual and personal thing. May we keep our focus on God regardless of the world’s problems, knowing that He will ultimately deliver us into the safety of His eternal home.

Have a great day PRAISING GOD’S KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE WHO ARE HIS!
Carl

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