Invitation for Compassion

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Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

03/05/2021

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Our devotional series based on the book Climbing with Abraham by David Ramos continues. Last week, we looked at how God continued to work in the lives of Abraham and Sarah and how God was faithful to them even when things in their lives seemed insurmountable for them.   
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Week 16: Read Genesis 18:16-33 (Invitation for Compassion)


"By now, Abraham knows his three guests are divine and sees them off towards their next stop, the city of Sodom. Abraham overhears their discussion and begins to intercede on behalf of the city. These requests that Abraham makes are not light-hearted. Six times he pleads with the traveler who represents the Lord, please do not destroy this city. Each time the Lord lowers his requirement of righteous inhabitants: from 50 to 45, 40, 30, 20 and finally to 10. The scene is left with an ominous tone - will they find 10 righteous people or will the city be destroyed?

Why would Abraham waste his time trying to save an evil city? If it was just out of concern for his nephew Lot, he could have just asked for the Lord to spare him. But he never mentions his nephew,

Abraham is showing compassion in its truest form: undeserved and unselfish. God is acting to protect his people by getting rid of the disease in the region. He leaves the opportunity open to Abraham by letting him listen in. God wants Abraham to show compassion and ask for mercy for the city. The Lord is the One, then, who invites the opportunity for forgiveness for Sodom; Abraham just had to ask for it.

Do you see how incredibly powerful that makes our prayers? The Lord invited Abraham to change his mind, to alter God's course and save an entire city. Abraham was just a human being, like you and me. We have been given the same power and influence over the events of this world, if only we would ask. God is waiting for us to ask and pray for big things; opportunities to truly change our situation, our family, and our world."
___________________________
Takeaway from today's lesson:  God is inviting us to change this world.

Prayer: God, thank you that you have given us so much power in prayer. Give me the courage to ask for big things, and eyes to see big change. Amen.
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Our devotional series based on the book Climbing with Abraham by David Ramos continues. Last week, we looked at how God continued to work in the lives of Abraham and Sarah and how God was faithful to them even when things in their lives seemed insurmountable for them.   
__________________________
Week 16: Read Genesis 18:16-33 (Invitation for Compassion)


"By now, Abraham knows his three guests are divine and sees them off towards their next stop, the city of Sodom. Abraham overhears their discussion and begins to intercede on behalf of the city. These requests that Abraham makes are not light-hearted. Six times he pleads with the traveler who represents the Lord, please do not destroy this city. Each time the Lord lowers his requirement of righteous inhabitants: from 50 to 45, 40, 30, 20 and finally to 10. The scene is left with an ominous tone - will they find 10 righteous people or will the city be destroyed?

Why would Abraham waste his time trying to save an evil city? If it was just out of concern for his nephew Lot, he could have just asked for the Lord to spare him. But he never mentions his nephew,

Abraham is showing compassion in its truest form: undeserved and unselfish. God is acting to protect his people by getting rid of the disease in the region. He leaves the opportunity open to Abraham by letting him listen in. God wants Abraham to show compassion and ask for mercy for the city. The Lord is the One, then, who invites the opportunity for forgiveness for Sodom; Abraham just had to ask for it.

Do you see how incredibly powerful that makes our prayers? The Lord invited Abraham to change his mind, to alter God's course and save an entire city. Abraham was just a human being, like you and me. We have been given the same power and influence over the events of this world, if only we would ask. God is waiting for us to ask and pray for big things; opportunities to truly change our situation, our family, and our world."
___________________________
Takeaway from today's lesson:  God is inviting us to change this world.

Prayer: God, thank you that you have given us so much power in prayer. Give me the courage to ask for big things, and eyes to see big change. Amen.
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