Genesis 18:32 Then [Abraham] said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."
50, 45, 40, 30, 20 and finally 10... Abraham made six attempts at saving Sodom and the surrounding areas. If only God would relent and not destroy the cities. But, the area was wicked, so wicked that not even ten righteous people could be found in all of them. But, Abraham tried. His relative lived there, and Abraham continued to be concerned for him. The acts of the wicked were so egregious that God was willing to destroy the area and everyone in it, nothing would be left. Abraham knew this, so he gathered his courage and spoke with boldness before the Lord. For a moment he stood in the path of God's destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. After every attempt was given, he watched as the Lord headed to the plains.
How much do we care about the people we know, our friends, our relatives? Before God's judgement comes, are we bold enough to bring them before the Lord that they might repent and be saved? Do we ever consider the wicked around us? Maybe we are happy to see them destroyed. I pray that is not true, for even God desires that all come to repentance (1 Timothy 2:4). God asks for people to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). He told Ezekiel that he went looking for someone to stand in the gap and could find no one!
K and A, will you be the one to answer God's call? Are you willing to stand in the gap, to do what is right and just, to care for the poor and the down-trodden (James 1:27) to lift the hand of those who are caught in sin (Galations 6:1)? God takes no pleasure in destroying the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). He wants them to come to the truth and you can work to see that happen. Reach out, care, love those around you. Watch how God uses you to when you are willing to stand in the gap!
~Dad
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