Read along with me: Genesis 18:16-33. Or choose to listen by hitting play below.
As Abraham comes away with serving and eating a meal with angels *!!!*. He has a conversation with the LORD. *!!!* Before the conversation begins, God gives us some insight into His thinking – kind of amazing really that the King of the universe would offer us that insiders’ look into what He is thinking and seeing. The part that really jumps off the page is verse 19, “For I know him . . . ” isn’t that truly incredible that the LORD of the heavens and all the earth knows Abraham and in turn knows us, too. Why does that matter? Because I think one of the deepest longings for all of us humans is to be loved and understood. To be know and loved by the LORD of the heavens is truly a miracle. But you know what I thought was equally incredible? That Abraham truly knew God, too. The intimate and personal relationship they had is truly something to strive for and emulate. I see that in how Abraham boldly approached His LORD, recognizing that Abraham himself was just dust and ashes, he confidently pursued God on behalf of his nephew Lot and any remaining righteous people in Sodom. Friends, do you approach the LORD with such humble confidence?
What do you learn from Abraham here? Abraham was not afraid to speak to LORD. Abraham respectfully while recognizing his place continued to speak up on behalf of the righteous remaining people. Abraham knew His God. He knew God is merciful. He knew God is Sovereign and All Powerful. Abraham knew God is Just and Good. Abraham knew God is compassionate. And because Abraham knew all these things, he wasn’t afraid to ask over and over again. Did you count how many times? Six times. Pretty incredible. How many times to you seek God for the same thing in one prayer? And are you ever asking God to have mercy on behalf of someone else?
What do you learn about God in how He talks and responds to Abraham? God listens. God grants mercy. God is patient. God does not get angry. God honors every single one of Abraham’s requests. Pretty incredible.
This Abraham example dialogue with God found in Genesis 18 shows that God knows what you are going through. He is aware of what is happening in your life on earth. God sees all things. He sees the good and the evil. And probably most encouraging, God loves. God loves and cares for His people, He listens to our prayers and He will act out of the abundance of His mercy and His steadfast and enduring love.
O what a God we have, who is so approachable and so good! Thank you Jesus.
