Tormented or Simply Bothered?

This 1-minute devotion talks about a good kind of torment, a kind mentioned in the Bible.

How do you feel about America's abandonment of Judeo-Christian values? 

I thought about this the other day when I read 2 Peter 2:7-8:
"[God] rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)." 

Scripture paints a picture of Lot that isn't altogether godly.(1) Yet he was still discerning enough to be "tormented in his righteous soul" by the ungodliness around him.

This Scripture made me ask: Am I tormented by the ungodliness I see on TV and movies, in books and magazines, in the news and the culture at large?

I'm bothered, but I'm not tormented. If I were, I would be praying fervently for my nation. And I'm not. Before I examine Lot's sins, I had better examine my failure to pray. Do you need to do the same?

What are some practical ways you can incorporate prayer for your nation into your daily schedule? 
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(1) He chose to live among heathens when given his choice of the land (Genesis 13) and offered his daughters to be abused (Genesis 19:8).
This 1-minute devotion talks about a good kind of torment, a kind mentioned in the Bible.


Bible Love Notes

4 comments:

  1. This verse really popped out at me today. Your right when you say we are bothered but not tormented. We all need to be praying for our nation because it desperately needs it. Thank you for sharing this deep insight. Blessings to you and yours!

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  2. I have been bothered by but my husband has been tormented by remarks made by fellow Christians stating that we as Christians are not persecuted in this country and also that homosexuality is biological and therefore not a sin or choice and when she was disagreed with said she was further along her Christian path than my husband. In response to the scripture you quote here- Lot was shielding the two angels visiting him in the form of man from ill use by Sodomite's who demanded Lot turn them over to them. Lot, to prevent turning the angel's over offered his daughters instead. If I had been presented with that situation I'm afraid I would have had to sacrifice myself in some way because I would never have offered my daughter to them and I certainly could not have turned the angels over to them either.

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    1. Yes, you are right about the footnoted Scripture reference being a situation when the angels visiting Lot were in danger. And I agree with you that it would have been more appropriate to offer himself than his daughters. I think the overriding issue for Lot was trust since, in the end, no one needed to be offered in place of the angels.

      I'm sorry that you and your husband have been discredited for your Biblical stands. But I'm always glad to hear Christians who trust Scripture for their moral values instead of the culture. Keep it up!

      I think it's revealing that this woman told you she was farther along the Christian path than your husband. Most mature Christians I know are too humble to compare themselves with others in this way.

      Thanks for taking the time to comment.

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  3. Thanks for your post. America has deceived herself into thinking morality = salvation. The true church is alive and well.. it's just a whole lot smaller than we ever imagined. Breaking News! "American Christianity experiences Historical Christianity". Remember the words of Paul: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to GOD and NOT to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 2 Cor. 4:7-11

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