“The men set out.., and they looked down toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised. Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry…’
“The men turned… toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.., drew near and said,’ Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you… not spare it for the fifty..? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked..! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?‘ The Lord said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.’” Genesis 18:16-26
Abraham had been promised a whole nation as heirs from his body with his wife Sarah, yet many miles and decades had passed with no pregnancy. In the course of waiting, now with a set birth time revealed, he is taken into God’s confidence to be taught righteousness and justice that God intended he teach his future offspring. His Lord was training him to esteem and uphold holiness while exercising mercy, not to flirt with or tolerate evil as he led and shaped God’s people. No waiting should be static. All lessons can at some time be applied. (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6; 17:1-2,15-16; 18:14)
The longer we wait on God and the more intent we are to watch and learn His ways, the more impressionable and lasting the lessons we learn. God unfolds history and fulfills promises as He pleases. Coincidentally, through our days, He teaches us how to live presently and what we need to embrace the future. How thoroughly do we take advantage of examples and instruction as we await next steps? (Psalm 27:14)
What can we count on as true in a changing culture and as we age? What are we investing to know and prepare for God’s promises? If we anticipate a move, challenges with work or health, evolving family dynamics or a new service for the Lord, how well do we know God’s viewpoint and practices for those situations? When do we thoughtfully take time to study His Word and ways with men? Do we regularly seek His wisdom in prayer, then practice what He teaches until it becomes second nature? What prudent determination or commitments could we make now so we’ll be wise when we’re called upon to make decisions or act?
Lord, teach me the manners and ways of heaven, so I can live them out here on earth as I prepare to meet You face-to-face. (1 John 3:2)
As the rain and snow 