ABRAHAM DREW NEAR
“And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Genesis 18:23
Three heavenly visitors stopped to see Abraham on their way to Sodom. One of the guests was the Lord. Abraham and Sarah were hospitable to them. The Lord informed Abraham that the wickedness of Sodom was the reason for their visit. Of course, Abraham knew that his nephew Lot and his family resided there. When the two angels left in the direction of Sodom, “Abraham drew near” to the Lord and began to intercede for the city.
What a privilege it is to know that one can draw near to Almighty God! We understand, according to the Scripture, that the only way we can draw near to Holy God is through our faith in Jesus’ substitutionary death and His sacrificial blood applied to our sinful lives. Ephesians 2:13 tells us that, “ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Just as Abraham did, we who are saved by the grace of God can draw near.
This drawing near is both a privilege and a responsibility. As it did with Abraham, drawing near takes initiative on our part. God wants us to choose to draw near to Him and spend time with Him. James 4:8 tells us, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Abraham knew that he was in the presence of the Lord, and yet he was welcome to draw closer to God. Although we are in Christ through the new birth, we can still draw nearer to Him in fellowship, surrender, and prayer. It may well be that God is waiting on us to take the initiative and draw near to Him.
Abraham drew near for a specific purpose. He needed to pray for Sodom and his family that lived there. Abraham wanted to intercede for his loved ones. We likewise have reasons to draw near to the Lord. We draw near to Him that we might enjoy fellowship with Him. We were created to have fellowship with the Lord. We draw near that we might worship Him and give Him praise. As with Abraham, we draw near that we might pray to Him and intercede for others.
Draw near to Him today. Tell Him that you love Him and appreciate all that He has done for you. Thank Him for the privilege of prayer. Are there things you need for God to do? Like Abraham, do you have loved ones in peril? Is pending judgment of concern to your soul? Perhaps it is time to draw away from other interests and draw near to God.