SCRIPTURE: Genesis (NIV) 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: will you also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from you to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from you: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
OBSERVATION: The LORD had just revealed to Abraham that HE would destroy Sodom because of their wickedness. Abraham was greatly concerned because his nephew, Lot, had taken up residence there. Abraham knew the character of God and began to intercede for the city. It is good to note how he interceded.
He DID NOT intercede on the basis of his relationship with Lot and Lot’s family. He DID NOT intercede on the basis of Lot coming from a good family background. He DID NOT intercede on the basis of the young children in the city. He DID NOT intercede on the basis of all the animals in Sodom.
He DID intercede on the basis of God’s character. He DID intercede on the basis of God’s righteousness. He DID intercede on the basis of God’s position of “Judge of all the earth.”
APPLICATION: I need to start looking at the world around me from God’s perspective and praying with that in mind. Why should God want to do what I am asking Him to do? What benefit is there in it for God? How will answering my prayer show God as holy and loving?
NOTE: God knew Abraham’s deepest concern and verse 29 of chapter 19 shows that God answered the heart of the prayer.
PRAYER: Lord, You are totally holy and totally loving. You are that way when you answer every prayer I pray. In your holy judgments, you do not stop being merciful and loving. And in your many expressions of love, you do not stop being holy. Many times I have received the expression of your love because Jesus took the expression of your holiness. I am forever grateful. May I not forget that you are as holy today as you have ever been. I worship you, my Holy and Loving Heavenly Father. Amen
Pastor Leon
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