Feb 1 - The Road Less TraveledLessons from the Life of Abraham: The Road Less Traveledby Jim Laffoon When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” … Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” Genesis 18:16-17, 20-21 Abraham was on a road few humans ever traveled -- a road that would take him far beyond his own needs. Even the angels were beginning to wonder why he was still walking with God. After all, every one of his needs had been dramatically met. What more could he want? Could it be that they had finally discovered a human who loved his Creator and Master for who He was, instead of merely loving Him for what He could do for him? When the Almighty God stopped and turned toward Abraham, it was as if the whole creation was watching in anticipation. Would God bring a human into the very council of the Godhead? “Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” the Lord said. With Abraham waiting before Him, the Lord continued, “Abraham, the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin is so grievous, that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached Me.” As the angels continued their journey toward Sodom, Abraham approached the Lord. There was no doubt in his heart that God would judge Sodom and Gomorrah. The perversion emanating from those cities was rapidly turning the plains of the Jordan into a moral sinkhole. “What about Lot and his family?” he groaned to himself. Although he had given up on Lot ever returning home long ago, he had never ceased to love him. “What will it take for you to spare these cities, my Lord? If there are fifty righteous people will you spare these cities? I know you would never destroy the righteous with the wicked.” “For fifty I will spare them,” the Lord replied. On and on they went, one lone human standing between God and the destruction of thousands of lives. “If there are ten righteous people will you spare these cities, my Lord?” Abraham entreated. “For ten righteous people, I will spare them.” As the Lord turned to leave, Abraham knew he could go no farther. His nephew had been there for many years. Surely his righteous example had influenced at least nine others. If not, thousands of people were doomed. Yes, Abraham was on a road rarely traveled by most human beings. It is the road to relationship and influence with God. For those who travel this road, their needs are secondary and the needs of the Kingdom of God are primary. They walk with God because they cherish His person, not merely because they are desperate for His promises. Although those who walk this road have needs, they are rarely an issue. Often, as they spend time in the presence of God, their needs seem to be met before they can even articulate them. As their relationship with God grows, these Christians can experience levels of influence with God and man that are beyond comprehension. Where are you today? Are you only spending enough time with God to get your needs met? If you are, it’s time for you to grow beyond your needs-based relationship with God and into the place of intimacy and influence that awaits you. Why do I say intimacy and influence? I say these words in conjunction with one another because in the Kingdom of God, intimacy is influence. Those who know their God the best influence Him the most. Won’t you tarry in His presence just a little longer? If you do, you, too, will begin to walk the road that Abraham walked -- a road to intimacy and influence with God that is beyond anything you ever dreamed was possible. © Copyright 2005 by Jim Laffoon |
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