1/8/21

"And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?" (Genesis 18:23)
The Lord has called upon Abraham in the plains of Mamre, and they sat, and talked, as one friend to another. I think that is so wonderful! "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"!
God told Abraham to expect a child "according to the time of life". (v. 10) Sarah laughed to herself when she heard the news.
Before the Lord parted company from His friend, Abraham, He told him what He was about to do in the city of Sodom. "And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know." (v. 20-21)
Two things jump out at you:
1) The wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah had not gone unnoticed by God. "...Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is grievous;..."
2) God was going to look into it, and "...I will know..." what to do about it.
There is a growing wickedness in this country, and I know that God is going to look into it. I am glad that I am His child! For I know that whatever He does, I am safe in His arms.
When Abraham heard the Lord talk about this matter, notice his posture.
1) Abraham was not vindictive or judgmental in his demeanor. He did not laugh, or even smile. He did not say, "Well, it's about time!" Nor did he get any satisfaction from the news.
2) Abraham immediately thought about someone who lived in Sodom that he loved. He thought about a prodigal, named Lot. And he was concerned for his well-being.
Our A. M. verse says, "And Abraham drew near,..." He came closer to the Lord, as a child who wants to be near a loving father. He moved closer, so as to petition the Lord for a favor.
"...and said, Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked?" He was thinking about Lot's safety, and was asking God to spare him.
In the verses of scripture that follows, Abraham intercedes for those in peril of God's judgment.
1) Father, what if there are 50 righteous people living there? (v.24)
2) But, Father, what if there are just 45 righteous ones there? (v.28)
3) What if there are only 40 righteous ones in the city? (v.29)
4) Or, how about 30? (v.30)
5) Let's say, 20? (v.31)
6) If only 10 righteous ones live there? (v.32)
Each time Abraham interceded for the righteous, God told him that he would not destroy the righteous with the unrighteous! That is a truth from God that is true for all time! God will not punish the righteous with the unrighteous! That would be unjust. God is incapable of being unjust! (One of my codes of conduct is, "He is right, and I am wrong.")
It seems that those whom the world hates are the very ones that are keeping this world from the judgment of God!
1) The men of Sodom despised Lot! Read about it in Genesis 19. And, yet, it was Lot's presence that kept God from destroying the city.
2) Christianity is despised in this nation by many powerful people, and yet, it is the presence of the church that saves America from destruction!
Watch this closely, now. When Lot was removed from Sodom by God, the city was destroyed!
I am of the opinion, that, when God removes the church from America, it shall fall! The Rapture of the Church is the end of America. All of those God-haters better lighten up!
What are we to do? Look again at Abraham's reaction.
Now, do likewise!
From my heart to your heart.