How can we apply Abraham's example of intercession in our daily lives? The Scene at Mamre Genesis 18:22: “Then the men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.” • Three visitors—two angels and the LORD—have just confirmed that Sarah will bear a son. • Judgment is coming to Sodom, but Abraham, aware of his nephew Lot’s danger, “remained standing before the LORD.” • The Hebrew idea is that Abraham “drew near” (v. 23); he steps forward as a friend, yet as a servant, to plead for people who are oblivious to their peril. What Abraham Actually Did • He approached God with reverence: “Far be it from You to do such a thing” (v. 25). • He appealed to God’s character: justice and mercy blended perfectly. • He negotiated boldly, yet humbly—six times lowering the number (50 → 10). • He stopped only when God’s goodness was satisfied; God left, and Abraham returned home (v. 33). Why This Matters for Us Romans 15:4 reminds us that “whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction.” Abraham’s intercession shows that: • God invites His people to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). • One person’s prayer can shape the destiny of many (James 5:16-18). • Mercy delays judgment because God “is patient…not wanting anyone to perish” (2 Peter 3:9). Snapshots of Intercession Elsewhere • Moses for Israel after the golden calf (Exodus 32:11-14). • Samuel for wayward Israel (1 Samuel 12:23). • Paul for the Jews and Gentiles alike (Romans 10:1; Ephesians 1:16). • Christ Himself “always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Practical Ways to Imitate Abraham Today Take Abraham’s pattern and overlay it on daily life: 1. Stay close enough to hear God’s plans • Maintain daily Scripture intake (Psalm 119:105). • Cultivate a listening heart (1 Kings 3:9). 2. Draw near with confidence, yet humility • Approach the throne “with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16) while remembering “God is in heaven and you are on earth” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). 3. Appeal to God’s revealed character • Cite His justice (Deuteronomy 32:4) and mercy (Psalm 103:8) when praying for nations, leaders, loved ones. 4. Be specific and persistent • Name people and places. • Return repeatedly, as Jesus taught in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8). 5. Stand in solidarity with the righteous remnant • Pray that believers in dark places will shine (Philippians 2:15). • Ask God to preserve cities and families for the sake of the faithful within them. 6. Accept God’s final answer • Whether He says Yes, No, or Wait, trust His wisdom (Isaiah 55:8-9). • Keep obeying after the “Amen,” just as Abraham went home and prepared for Isaac’s birth. Linking Abraham to Our Chief Intercessor • Abraham mirrors Christ, but Jesus fulfills the role perfectly: “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). • Because He intercedes, our prayers join His and gain eternal efficacy (Romans 8:34). Encouragement as You Stand Before the LORD • No prayer for the lost is wasted; some will be rescued as Lot was (Genesis 19:29). • Intercession aligns us with God’s redemptive heartbeat. • Keep standing, keep pleading—heaven records every word (Revelation 8:3-4). |
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