Genesis 19; Nehemiah 8; Matthew 18; Acts 18
Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
The Bible says that when God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that he remembered Abraham. In his remembering Abraham, God sent Lot out of the city before the destruction came. What was it that God remembered about Abraham? God remembered Abraham's intercession. When the Lord decided to destroy the cities, he came with two angels to Abraham's tent. Abraham welcomed them and set food before them. This was a very special meeting, because God promised Abraham that Sarah would have a son. The Lord also revealed to Abraham his plan.
Genesis 18:20-22 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. 22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
When Abraham heard the news of what God intended to do, he began to intercede on behalf of the righteous in the city.
Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Abraham then began to intercede for the city before God. He began by asking if God would destroy the city if fifty righteous people were found in it. The Lord said he would spare the city for fifty. Abraham continued to reduce the number until he got to ten. God said he would spare the city for ten righteous people. Here Abraham stopped and God departed. The amazing thing about this portion of God's word is that God listened to Abraham's petitions.
God did not find ten righteous people in the city! God only found one – Lot!
2 Peter 2:7-9 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.
Genesis tells us that God remembered Abraham when he delivered Lot. Abraham's prayers were instrumental in the deliverance of Lot. Your prayers are heard. Our prayers make a difference. God invites us to pray and bring our supplications to him. God will remember your prayers. Are you asking God for great things?
In Christ,
Rody
