Persistent Bargain
Persistent Bargain
Genesis 18:27,29-31 NLT
Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes… Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?” And the LORD replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.” “Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak-suppose only thirty righteous people are found?” And the LORD replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.” Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue-suppose there are only twenty?” And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
This podcast is a repost, originally published on October 5, 2017.
Series: Prayer Bargain
Here are couple of things that we have already learned from the Abraham’s prayer in Genesis 18. We see that he had learnt how to win the trust of God, and that is why God shared his plans with Abraham. God also knew that when he shares his plans with Abraham, he is going to do the right thing with it. God also says that he is going to come down to Sodom and Gomorrah! The next thing we see that Abraham appeals to the character of God!
In today’s scripture, Abraham tries to bargain with God. He literally stood in God’s way and said, what if its not as bad as it seems! What if there is a way out! What if you find 50 people that are still loyal to you? What if you find 40, 30 or even 20 people that are loyal to you.
What’s surprising is that God yields to Abraham’s bargain, God changes his standard to accommodate his request. Though God came down to completely destroy Sodom & Gomorrah, right now he is looking for 50 righteous people in the city, because his friend Abraham has asked. Its almost like Abraham is standing in the gap, in God’s way of destroying Sodom and Gomorrah!
Abraham is almost willing to take the hit for Sodom and Gomorrah. This can actually end up bad for him. There are other people like Apostle Paul and Moses who did the same. For example, Moses said you can take out my name from the book of life, but don’t destroy this people of yours!
That is what intercession really is. Abraham put himself in danger to be able to stand in the gap for Sodom and Gomorrah! Abraham is passionate and persistent. He did not give up with just asking once. That is the relationship between two friends, that is the relationship between an intercessor and the triune God. We should understand that God has already made provision for everything we pray for.
If only there are more people who will hold on to these promises and stand in the way of God bringing destruction upon the wickedness of the land, we would see more changes and more revival! May God rise you up to be one of them!
Partner with us in our dream for revival. Your generosity goes towards supporting our initiatives to reach out, serve & transform lives.
If you’d like to be a monthly partner & would like to contribute towards missions trips in India and Africa, please write to us here.
Subscribe to Another Day with Jesus!
If you would like to receive this podcasts right into your phones, you could subscribe to it on a regular feed reader like feedly, or on a podcasting app like iTunes or easier still you could receive it by Telegram. Click on the links below to subscribe!