Just ask God: 4 Lessons from Abraham

Do you know how to be bold before God?

I know you may have heard me say this before but I absolutely enjoy reading the bible.

I find so much treasures of information and wisdom. This one got me excited!

“When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?… Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.” Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.” Genesis‬ ‭18:16-17, 20-33‬

So what are the four lessons I took away from this:

Lesson 1

I can’t ask God anything unless I draw near to him. In order to speak to God you have to enter into HIS presence. You have to approach HIM. To do this we have to pray.

Lesson 2

I can be bold and still be respectful in my requests to God. Abraham was very bold in his repeated requests but at the same time he showed humbleness and respect. Abraham acknowledged the greatness and mercy of God and stated, “May the Lord not be angry…” The Lord wants us to come to HIM and intercede for others but we should always remember whose presence we are approaching and show HIM the respect due HIM.

Lesson 3

The willingness and mercy of the God I serve to answer me.

Abraham asked God 6 different times “what if…” Not once, not twice, not even three times, but SIX. Abraham was persistent in his willingness to intercede for others and request of God a sign of mercy. Do we show the same persistence that Abraham showed when we pray for others?

Lesson 4

It isn’t all about me.

So many times we get so caught up in “me, me, me”. God is calling us to die to self and show compassion and love for others. There are so many in our communities, in our country, in this world that are crying out. Then there are others that are enjoying their wicked ways but the land is crying out to God. What are we as people of God doing to intercede on their behalf?

How many of you have truly been steadfast and bold in praying for others. For God to answer your prayers and show mercy?

Food for thought: We serve a mighty and all knowing, all powerful God who doesn’t really need us to change his mind or convince him to show mercy. He continually does this daily in our lives. What he needs though is a people that have a heart to be concerned for others and willing to be persistent with God in praying on their behalf. Who or which nation do you feel God is calling you to intercede for?

Prayer: The Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. All knowing and all powerful God, we thank you for your grace and mercy. May we all learn to boldly and respectfully enter your presence on behalf of our family, friends, church, community, country and the world. In Jesus name. Amen

God’s grace, mercy and peace to you.