The Presence Of A Righteous Person

“Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.” He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of.” – Genesis 19:19-21
 
 
God planned to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and well as other cities in the plain. Lot, believing that he wouldn’t make it to the mountains in time to escape the destruction, pleaded with the Lord to allow him to take refuge in a nearby town. Although Zoar was slated for destruction as well, the Lord spared the city because Lot had God’s favor and that’s where he would take refuge. And where the righteous shine, their too will God’s glory shine.  
 
God calls His followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14)—to preserve His statutes and to illuminate those areas of the world that are dark. The way we walk, talk, and how we treat others are all a reflection of whether others see or don’t see God as loving or judgmental and cruel.  
 
What would others say when they think about you? Do you make them want to draw closer or further away to God? You may even want to ask those closest to you how they feel. The presence of a righteous person is not only a benefit, but also a necessity in this world. Let’s all see to align our heart, mind, and spirit in accordance with God’s will.