Compassion of Abraham
Genesis 18. In this chapter we see the compassion and intercession of Abraham. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were exceedingly wicked (Gen.13:13), because the men of these cities were given over to sexual practices that were contrary to nature (19:5; Jude 7; Rom.1:27). The words "sodomy" and "sodomize" come from the name of this city.
And what do we see Abraham doing? He is interceding on their behalf. Why would Abraham want God to spare such wicked people? Of course, Abraham's first concern was for his nephew Lot and his family. But even apart from Lot's situation, Abraham did not want to see all those people die and be lost forever. God is "not willing that any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9), and He "desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim.2:4). The people of this city were lost in their sins and the "wages of sin is death" (Rom.6:23) and that means eternal death. But Abraham is an intercessor, and intercessors have compassionate hearts; and, like God, they desire that all men be saved and that no one should perish.
What about you? Are you interceding on behalf of your lost family, friends, co-workers, classmates? Remember, before you talk to your lost friends about God, talk to God about your lost friends. Pray for them. Intercede on their behalf. Charles Spurgeon said, "If they [lost sinners] will not hear you speak, they cannot prevent your praying. Do they jest at your exhortations? They cannot disturb you at your prayers. Are they far away so that you cannot reach them? Your prayers can reach them. Have they declared that they will never listen to you again, nor see your face? Never mind, God has a voice which they must hear. Speak to Him, and He will make them feel. Though they now treat you despitefully, rendering evil for good, follow them with your prayers. Never let them perish for lack of your supplications". [Metropolitan Pulpit, vol.18, Spurgeon]
One final note on intercession. Not only does intercession involve compassion, lack of intercession is a sin. See 1 Sam.12:23. There Samuel said, "...far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you;...." Neglected prayer is sin. Let's intercede on behalf of all those who are perishing.
And what do we see Abraham doing? He is interceding on their behalf. Why would Abraham want God to spare such wicked people? Of course, Abraham's first concern was for his nephew Lot and his family. But even apart from Lot's situation, Abraham did not want to see all those people die and be lost forever. God is "not willing that any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9), and He "desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim.2:4). The people of this city were lost in their sins and the "wages of sin is death" (Rom.6:23) and that means eternal death. But Abraham is an intercessor, and intercessors have compassionate hearts; and, like God, they desire that all men be saved and that no one should perish.
What about you? Are you interceding on behalf of your lost family, friends, co-workers, classmates? Remember, before you talk to your lost friends about God, talk to God about your lost friends. Pray for them. Intercede on their behalf. Charles Spurgeon said, "If they [lost sinners] will not hear you speak, they cannot prevent your praying. Do they jest at your exhortations? They cannot disturb you at your prayers. Are they far away so that you cannot reach them? Your prayers can reach them. Have they declared that they will never listen to you again, nor see your face? Never mind, God has a voice which they must hear. Speak to Him, and He will make them feel. Though they now treat you despitefully, rendering evil for good, follow them with your prayers. Never let them perish for lack of your supplications". [Metropolitan Pulpit, vol.18, Spurgeon]
One final note on intercession. Not only does intercession involve compassion, lack of intercession is a sin. See 1 Sam.12:23. There Samuel said, "...far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you;...." Neglected prayer is sin. Let's intercede on behalf of all those who are perishing.
posted by Royce Hendry at
6:01 AM
2 Comments:
Hey Royce,
I see you've got a lot of Scripture links in your website. Have you considered using RefTagger?
Thanks Kent,
I didn't know this was out there seeing how I'm just barely computer literate. I'll be sure to add this. Thanks again, and God bless.
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