Day 8
 |
| Abraham Serving the Three Angels by Rembrandt |
Observation
Three angelic visitors arrive bearing bittersweet news for Abraham. Within a year, Sarah would give birth to a son (Isaac); within a matter of days, Sodom would be destroyed. Abraham knowing his nephew Lot resides there, pleads for God’s mercy and receives assurances that the city will not be destroyed if even a handful of righteous people remain there. But the situation is even worse than Abraham imagines, and Sodom is reduced to ashes. Lot and his two daughters narrowly escape, though their grudging departure encountered sorrow because of Lot's wife backward glance that turn her into a pillar of salt.
Application
Chapters 14 and 18 have much in common. In both chapters, Abraham’s nephew Lot is in trouble. In both chapters Abraham expresses a godly concern for the welfare of Lot. But there is one striking difference.
In chapter 14, when Abraham heard the news about Lot’s capture, he immediately went to war. Arming his 318-man militia, he headed out to do battle with the enemy. And, God blessed his rescue mission.
In chapter 18, when Abraham heard the news about Sodom’s coming destruction, he immediately went to prayer. Wrestling with God for the safety of Lot’s family, Abraham finally received assurances that the city would not be destroyed if even a handful of righteous people remained. And, God blessed his prayer.
Now let's ponder this: what if Abraham had prayed when he should have done battle, and battled when he should have been praying? Let’s look at our own battles or actions and prayers to see if we are in sync with God!
In chapter 14, when Abraham heard the news about Lot’s capture, he immediately went to war. Arming his 318-man militia, he headed out to do battle with the enemy. And, God blessed his rescue mission.
In chapter 18, when Abraham heard the news about Sodom’s coming destruction, he immediately went to prayer. Wrestling with God for the safety of Lot’s family, Abraham finally received assurances that the city would not be destroyed if even a handful of righteous people remained. And, God blessed his prayer.
Now let's ponder this: what if Abraham had prayed when he should have done battle, and battled when he should have been praying? Let’s look at our own battles or actions and prayers to see if we are in sync with God!
Prayer
Oh Lord, we know when problems cause us to pray, they have the potential to do more good than harm but we just need your help discerning when to take actions before, while and after we pray for your guidance. Help us not to miss any opportunity to do the appropriate thing. Not our will but thy will be done! In Jesus name! Amen!
 |
| The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, John Martin, 1852 |
