Genesis 18

Scripture:  Genesis 18:16-33

Observation:  God decides to tell Abraham about His plans for Sodom and Gomorrah, two extremely wicked cities - He has heard of their grave sin, and is intent on putting an end to it.  Abraham speaks up, compassionate of any living in those cities who is righteous and will suffer because of the unrighteous.  He asks God if it wouldn't be more just to spare the cities if there are 50 righteous living there.  The Lord assures Abraham He will forgive the entire place if He finds 50 such persons.  Abraham then asks if there are only 45, or 30, or 20, or even 10.  The Lord again assures Abraham that if He finds 10 righteous persons He will not destroy the place.  And so ends the conversation between God and Abraham.

Application:  I am just in awe of the intimacy between God and Abraham.  God, as Creator of all things, doesn't have to give any explanation of any kind to anyone, yet He decides to tell Abraham about his intention of destroying Sodom and Gomorrah.  Then, when Abraham asks if the Lord wouldn't spare these cities because of the righteous that could be found there, the Lord listens and gives Abraham assurance.  Again, God doesn't have to do this; He could simply have said, "Abraham, I know what I'm doing."  But the Lord treated Abraham as a friend, as a son.  That is the kind of relationship God wants to have with each of us.  He is not a distant God.  He wants closeness, intimacy with all of His creation.  He loves us that much.

Prayer:  Father, why don't I always take the time to have those kinds of conversations with you?  You want to hear from me, and I definitely want to hear from you, but I let circumstances drown You out.  Help me to have the kind of relationship with You that Abraham has, one that is open and intimate, without fear.  You are my God, my Father, my Everything.  I love You.  In Jesus' name, Amen.