8 NOVEMBER
Access by faith in prayer
‘And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.’ Genesis 18:32
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 20:1–9
We may take notice of the issue:
(i) the Lord continued to answer, so long as Abraham continued to ask. It was his own Spirit encouraged and enabled Abraham to carry his suit so far. But he found no liberty to press it farther. Abraham could not but acknowledge the justice of the sentence against Sodom, if ten righteous persons could not be found in it. It may be right in us to pray far in such cases, when we cannot be sure what the Lord’s purpose may be, but at length he will overrule and direct his people’s desires so that they shall be brought to acquiesce in his will.
(ii) the Lord withdrew and Abraham returned humbled and thankful for the honour he had received. O it is wonderful—that dust and ashes should converse with the great God. Yet such honour have all his saints. This is the honour that cometh of God only—access by faith in prayer.
Abraham could not obtain mercy for Sodom. But there is One who by his intercession can prevail to save to the uttermost [Hebrews 7:25]. May the Spirit of the Lord enable poor sinners to put their cause into the hands of Jesus, so shall they be saved in the day of anger.
FOR MEDITATION: Ask what shall I give thee
Come, my soul, thy suit prepare,
With my burden I begin,
JESUS loves to answer prayer;
LORD, remove this load of sin!
He himself has bid thee pray,
Let thy blood, for sinners spilt,
Therefore will not say thee nay.
Set my conscience free from guilt.
Thou art coming to a King,
LORD! I come to thee for rest,
Large petitions with thee bring;
Take possession of my breast;
For his grace and power are such,
There thy blood-bought right maintain,
None can ever ask too much.
And without a rival reign.
SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 40 [3/3], GENESIS 18:32
Milo 