When a loved one passes away, instead of sending flowers, some people make donations either to the needy family or to a charity. Their gift benefits the family or charity, while at the same time it honors the memory of the one who passed away. That same principle was at work years ago when God overthrew the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah but spared Lot. God showed Lot favor because of his Uncle Abraham. We read in Genesis 19 that when the angels came to destroy the cities, they said to Lot, “We are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the Lord, and he has sent us to destroy it.” But just before doing it the angels hurried out Lot, his wife, and daughters. Lot survived because his Uncle Abraham had favor with God. Today we can find favor with God when we are linked to God’s Son Jesus Christ. God will show us favor as He did to Lot because of his righteous uncle. Our Creator wants to have a right relationship with us. But favor can come only through God’s Son, Jesus the Christ. We can know Christ by repenting of our sins and asking Him for forgiveness. This is how we find favor with God.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
