In Genesis 17-19, we have a revealing story of an interview between God and Abraham, His friend. Abraham proved to be a true Friend of God, while Lot proved to be a friend of the world. Not only is God Abraham’s friend, God is a friend of Sinners. After years of holding on to a promise from God, how do we effectively wait on the Lord. "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart; wait, I say, on the Lord." David encourages all of us to wait the Lord. When Abram is ninety-nine, God revisits him. God confirms the promise He made years before. He changes the name of Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah. God even instituted circumcision as the sign of the covenant. And he promised Abraham a son who name was to be called Isaac. Also God promised to bless Ishmael in a special way. In humble obedience, Abraham circumcises himself, his son, Ishmael and every male that was born in his house. While we waiting on God to fulfil His promise, we should obey and do what we know to do.
Genesis chapter 18 teaches us many things, but one of the most important is how to effectively wait on the Lord. We all tend to struggle most when we are watching the clock and waiting for time to past. If you have ever gone on a road trip with Children, the one question asked again and again is, “Are we there yet?” Abram knew how to wait. He was expectant; for he knew that what God who had promised will come to pass and though it seems to tarry. He waited actively; not idle. using the available means of grace, reading, listening, praying, believing, and productively working. Abraham acknowledges God in all his ways, knowing that God would direct his steps. They that wait upon the Lord shall never be confounded.
Abraham, this friend of God was sitting in his tent door watching out for traveling strangers needing a place to rest. This chapter reveals that in the process, Abraham found himself ministering to the Lord. He interceded for his wife, Sarah. Then he interceded in behalf of a lost world. What does it mean to wait on the Lord amid a pandemic? First, effectively waiting on God begins with attentive service.
1. Offer Attentive Service to Others. Abram ministered to the Lord. Abraham is visited by three men near the great trees of Mamre. This lesson amplifies the connection that God had with Abraham. Why did God approach Abraham in this manner? Why not use a vision or a voice? Many believe that was to be as a comparison between the treatment received the angels at Abraham's house and the treatment they would receive at Sodom. This shows a contrast between Abraham's peaceful, quiet visit and Sodom's outburst of brutality and inhumanity. But more likely Abraham's visitors meant to convey intimate fellowship. To eat together was important for fellowship, peace offerings, and treaties. When the Lord was ready to fulfill his covenant promise, He came in person and ate in Abraham's tent. This lesson reveals Abraham's attitude in service to the Lord. Abraham...hurried to them, hurried back to the tent, ran to the herd, his servants hurried; he bowed low before them; he brought water to wash their feet; he served them fresh baked bread; a choice calf, curds, and milk and stood while they were eating.
Hebrews 13:1,2 "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
We must learn from Abraham's example that when we are in the presence of the Lord, we must offer attentive service. Abraham gives a vivid picture in the text of what it really means to wait on the Lord. He provides the best greeting, and attentive service – he kneels before them, offers shade to rest, water to wash, and shelter from the heat. the best service, the choicest calf and the freshest bread, butter and milk. He did it all not knowing who they were. We must not sit idle in the pandemic, offer attentive service to others. Whatever we offer others in His name, we are offering to Him. What are we offering the Lord as we minister unto him and for the fulfilment of his promises?
2. Offer Extravagant Hospitality to All – Abraham offered his choicest calf and the freshest bread, butter and milk. What are we offering the Lord as we minister unto him. Abram offered splendid entertainment. He set a whole calf before them, new bread from fine flour, baked on the hearth, together with butter and milk. Three measures of meal were baked into bread on this occasion, which come to more than two of our bushels, and nearly to fifty-six pounds of our weight. Abraham does not know that these men are heavenly visitors, yet he offered extravagant hospitality. Following the meal, one of the visitors asked about his wife, Sarah, announcing that a son would be born to Sarah in a year. The thought seemed too much for Sarah. Sarah laughed in her heart. The angel rebuked Abraham for his wife's attitude and call her to belief by asking, "Is there anything too hard for God?" "Is a child from a dead womb too hard for a God who called all things into existence?" It is no laughing matter because He can do it. Nothing is incredible for those in covenant fellowship with God because nothing is too difficult for him.
This question reveals much about our God. We should make a habit of inserting our needs into the question. "Is this day in the pandemic too hard for God?" "Is this day in my life too hard for God?" "Is this habit I am trying to break too hard for God?" This should remind us that God is intimately involved in every portion of our lives.
I recent read that the quartermaster General in the Army concluded to feed 2 or 3 million people in the desert, Moses needed 1500 tons of food per day which would require two freight trains a mile long. It would have required 4000 tons of firewood for cooking. 11,000,000 gallons of water per day for cooking and washing. And to get them across the Red Sea in one night would require an opening three miles wide and the people would have to be 5000 abreast. Just to camp out at night would require a camping area 2/3 the size of Rhodes Island or 750 square miles.
Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of your needs. Our God is an awesome God! While we are waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled: Offer Attentive Service to Others and Practice Extravagant Hospitality to All! Sometimes the quickest way to solving your problem is to get busy helping others.
3. Offer Heartfelt Intercession of the Lost – After Offering Attentive Service to Others and Practice Extravagant Hospitality to others, Abraham upon hearing the condition of Sodom and Gomorrah, he offered heartfelt intercession for the lost. Abraham provided intercession in the behalf of the lost world. The two angels depart to complete a secret mission to Sodom. God then reveals to Abraham his intention to destroy that wicked cesspool of sin on the desert sand. Abraham then begins his remarkable plea for Sodom. This is one of the most compassionate and persistent prayers in the Bible.
Abraham's intercession was definite, reverent, and faithful (1) definite - he did not plea for "the soul that was nearest hell", or "for missionaries around the world" or for "Shaq's big toe" Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked" (2) Reverent - "I...am but dust and ashes" (3) It was mixed with faith - "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
Our concern must be those beyond our church, beyond our family, beyond our personal goals. We must understand that Abraham did not change God's mind. God's answer changed Abraham's mind. Abraham knew that God was merciful, but he did not know just how far reaching the mercy of God would go. Prayer does not change God. Prayer changes us, our attitudes, and our perception. God is both just and fair. God knew that there were not ten righteous people in the city, but He mercifully allowed Abraham to intercede. At first Abraham asks God to spare the city if fifty righteous persons can be found there. Then request what if there are only 45...40...30...20...10. Here Abraham stops. Why didn't he press for 5? Abraham figured surely Lot, his wife, two unmarried daughters, his married daughters and his sons-in-law would make up at least ten. But Abraham was to be broken hearted for only Lot and his two unmarried daughters were saved.
God merciful enough to help Lot and his two daughters to leave the city before the destruction came. God does not take pleasure in destroying the wicked, but sin must be punished. We should praise God for his enduring mercy. God shows Abraham that asking for anything is allowed, with the understanding that God answers come from God perspective. God perspective is not always in harmony with our expectation. God only know the whole story.
The Scripture teaches to be a friend of the world is a enmity against God. Being a friend of God involves more than receiving what I need from God. It involves more than having my personal dreams fulfill. Being a friend of God requires 1. Offer Attentive Service to Others. 2. Offer Extravagant Hospitality to All; 3. Offer Heartfelt Intercession of the Lost. Yes, God loves you and me. God loves our family and close friends. God loves the righteous. But God also loves the world.
Here is the first solemn prayer upon record in the Bible; and it is a prayer for the sparing of Sodom. Abraham prayed earnestly that Sodom might be spared, if but a few righteous persons should be found in it. Come and learn from Abraham what compassion we should feel for sinners, and how earnestly we should pray for them. We see here that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:16, 17
Abraham knew how to effectively wait on the lord. He was not idle while waiting. He chose to be busy offering attentive service to others. Yes, we all are believing God to heal our world and bless His people. What are you doing in the meantime? Abraham was busy offering extravagant hospitality to all. Even though he did not recognize these strangers, he extended radical hospitality to them. We must not allow what we do not know to keep us from doing what we do know. Abraham was busy offering heartfelt intercession of the lost. Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah. Yes, God loves you and me. God loves our family and close friends. God loves the righteous. But God also loves the world.
We effectively wait on the Lord by offering attentive service to a broken world who sometimes hungry, thirsty, weak and worn. We can become an oasis for them, we can effectively wait on the Lord by offering radical hospitality to all. People don’t care much you know until they know how much you care. Finally, we effectively wait on the Lord by interceding for our lost world. You would be amazed at how quickly God will meet our need and fulfil His promise while we a praying for others.
