Genesis 18:26-28 (NLT)
And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.” 27 Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.” |
This story came to mind while praying and reflecting on the election, our nation, and our future. The title of this story in the NLT version is "Abraham Intercedes for Sodom." As children of the King we have undoubtedly been called to intercede for our country!
Abraham's conversation with the Lord is one that gives hope, yet also reminds us of the seriousness of our sin. As Abraham continued talking with the Lord, the number of people in question went from fifty all the way down to ten! By the end of the conversation, the Lord agreed to spare Sodom if even ten "righteous people" were found in the city (Genesis 18:29-32).
To put this in today's perspective, it could be a New York, a Chicago, an Atlanta, or better yet, what about the city we live in now? If ten Christians could spare a city, how many would it take to spare our Nation? Perhaps it wasn't as much about "how many" as it was about "how willing" If we want to see our country spared, we must be willing to share the Good News of Jesus with the citizens around us!
The city of Sodom ended up being destroyed because ten righteous people couldn't be found in it. Ten people is not many! For most of us, ten people would equate to our household and the neighbors that live next door on both sides of our house. We don't have to go far, we just have to be willing to walk next door! Was the darkness in the city truly that dark, or was the light in the city just that dim? The Word of God says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it" (John 1:5). We "are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). Clearly, God was willing! Perhaps the better question is how willing are we?
Father,
Thank you for calling us to be Your light in the darkness! Thank You for Your unfailing love that searches the depths of our hearts. Thank You for the privilege of sharing the same love with others, that you so graciously share with us. Help us not hide in our homes and place Your Light within us under a basket. Help us to stand up and shine brightly on the lamp stands of life that you have placed around us. In Jesus mighty name we pray! Amen.
Abraham's conversation with the Lord is one that gives hope, yet also reminds us of the seriousness of our sin. As Abraham continued talking with the Lord, the number of people in question went from fifty all the way down to ten! By the end of the conversation, the Lord agreed to spare Sodom if even ten "righteous people" were found in the city (Genesis 18:29-32).
To put this in today's perspective, it could be a New York, a Chicago, an Atlanta, or better yet, what about the city we live in now? If ten Christians could spare a city, how many would it take to spare our Nation? Perhaps it wasn't as much about "how many" as it was about "how willing" If we want to see our country spared, we must be willing to share the Good News of Jesus with the citizens around us!
The city of Sodom ended up being destroyed because ten righteous people couldn't be found in it. Ten people is not many! For most of us, ten people would equate to our household and the neighbors that live next door on both sides of our house. We don't have to go far, we just have to be willing to walk next door! Was the darkness in the city truly that dark, or was the light in the city just that dim? The Word of God says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it" (John 1:5). We "are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). Clearly, God was willing! Perhaps the better question is how willing are we?
Father,
Thank you for calling us to be Your light in the darkness! Thank You for Your unfailing love that searches the depths of our hearts. Thank You for the privilege of sharing the same love with others, that you so graciously share with us. Help us not hide in our homes and place Your Light within us under a basket. Help us to stand up and shine brightly on the lamp stands of life that you have placed around us. In Jesus mighty name we pray! Amen.