“Then Abraham came near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it?” Genesis 18:23-24
Sodom was a city who’s sin cried out as atrocity to God’s very throne. “Then the Lord said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin!” Genesis 18:20. Yet, Abraham bargained and contested with the Lord to save the people of Sodom in their great sin. This sin was so harsh that God Himself came to see and pass judgment.
Did God become angered by Abraham as he dwindled the number of the righteous against the majority of sinful? God let Abraham bring the number of righteous remaining to just ten against a whole city. Did God respond that the thousands would be cast in condemnation because just ten wasn’t enough to save those thousands? We see God’s answer in Genesis 18:32 – “He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
The sins of our present world make Sodom and Gomorrah look innocent. And in this aching sinful world I hear so many Christians begging God in prayer to come in judgment against billions of sinful souls. Good and righteous Christians calling down God’s judgment upon sinners in our present world.
Praying for these righteous souls this morning God came to me taking Abraham’s role in Genesis. He came, saying, “if there is but ten righteous souls, should I sweep away the place and not forgive it for the ten righteous who are in it?” In these words of the Lord I am humbled to dust.
As many beg and pray for God to return in judgment, upset that He continues to allow the atrocities of the world’s sin to continue unchecked, God through His Son bargains with His Church for just a few righteous souls.
Someday maybe very soon, Jesus Christ will return in judgment. There is no doubt the wicked will be cast into the fires of Hell. In the meantime, Jesus has made His bargain with the Father as He hung upon the cross. “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
Do we, the righteous of the Church then seek to bring judgment when God seeks just ten more righteous souls? Or even just one more? Jesus Christ came in search of a single lost sheep. Far be it from us to stop His search.
In our prayers in the dark sinful days of our current world, we need to stop calling for His quick return as Judge and make these prayers ones of mercy. Prayers asking God to hold off His Righteous Judgment upon billions for the sake of just one who might now be lost.
Begin today begging God to hold back Hid day of Judgment if there be but one more righteous soul to be found. Open wide the doors of Mercy Lord Jesus.
“before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice…”. Divine Mercy in my soul # 1146
“Write this: before I come as the Just Judge, I am coming first as the King of Mercy.” Divine Mercy in my soul # 83