July 24, 2022 Text: Genesis 18:20-33
Dear Friends in Christ,
C.S. Lewis in his book The Screwtape Letters presented a collection of supposed letters from Screwtape, a demon in the upper echelons of hell. The letters are addressed to Screwtape’s nephew Wormwood, a novice demon, advising him how to defeat the Christians in the battle of life. In relation to prayer, he warns Wormwood, “Interfere at any price, in any fashion, when people start to pray. Real prayer is lethal to our cause.”
This morning in our text, we travel to the heart of sinful debauchery, we enter a small portal of hell, we watch Abraham plead with God in prayer to spare the guilty from death if he can find just a few that are righteous. Abraham keeps coming at the Lord over and over and over and over and over and over. What about all of this?
“DOES GOD EVER GET TIRED?”
Abraham must have some chutzpah to ask the first question. “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” Abraham is appealing to the justice of God. Will God act in a manner that takes the righteous with the wicked? The Psalmist writes, “righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.” But the Psalmist also continues, “love and faithfulness go before you.” (Ps. 89:14) While appealing to God’s justice. Abraham also appeals to the Lord knowing the kindness and love He has for His creation. There is tension here. Abraham knows both about God. It is mercy and grace that move Abraham’s appeal, but the Lord’s justice is at the heart of the request.
Does this parallel our life? We are sinful men and women who are aware of God’s wrath for sin. We know the Lord’s justice. We also, prayerfully, have been given a confident faith that is not afraid to approach God in prayer because He showers us with love and mercy. When we pray to our Heavenly Father it as Luther explains in the catechism: “as dear children ask their dear Father.” “Dad, when are we going to leave?” “Dad, I’m tired, can’t we go?” The whining and the questions continue. As Fathers, as sinful men, we can get a little tired of the constant badgering. God doesn’t. He never tires and this text shows it.
In verses 27-31 Abraham keeps lowering the number. 45, 40, 30, 20. Do you see any indication here that God loses His patience? I don’t either. “Abraham leave me alone.” “Abraham get off my back.” “Oh no, here comes Abraham.” It is like that car salesman that just cannot let you be. This is a great lesson for us in God’s patience. God does not tire of hearing our requests. God does not look for a place to hide when we get up at 3 a.m. to go talk with Him because rest is not coming because of something on our mind. He is ready to hear us. He is wide awake and willing. His very nature is on display.
Abraham sees this even more clearly once we get to verses 32-33. Abraham lowers the bar one last time, we are taking this request down to 10. Yes, 10. Probably because of the number in Lot’s family. Things are getting personal because Lot is Abraham’s nephew. Abraham went to great lengths in Genesis 14 to rescue his relative. He doesn’t want to watch them perish. God has still not gotten tired.
Let’s see how closely you have been paying attention. How many times has God said “yes” to the requests of Abraham? Six. Six times he answered in the affirmative. At the beginning of the sermon, I used the word “over” the same number of times. Abraham just kept going to God with His requests and His Heavenly Father never tired.
God never got angry with Abraham. The Lord never gets angry with us in our prayer life. What the Lord does not like in our lives is a lack of trust. He does not care for our shunning this direct line to His throne. Our sermon hymn said it beautifully, “In holy conversation We speak to God in prayer.” Can it get any simpler? We all know how to converse. Believe me, I have seen you all in the narthex or the basement. In our Gospel today is the Lord’s Prayer where we say, “forgive us our sins.” The Lord has heard that prayer. He has answered that prayer. He never tired of the Old Testament people praying for a Savior. Jesus came into the world to intercede and give us direct access to the Father. His gift of redemption takes away our lack of trust. We go the Father through Jesus the Son.
This gracious God has come to your rescue. This gracious God hears you when you confess. This gracious God with whom we speak is a holy and just God. This gracious God will keep you in the faith through His Holy Spirit and when the time comes you will leave this Sodom and Gomorrah existence and find a Promised Land flowing with perfection and constant grace.
God never did tire. He answered Abraham’s prayer by saving Lot and his two daughters. Like for us it was an unexpected answer but one the Lord knew had to be made. Just like at the cross. Look to the cross. It reminds you of the God you are talking to. He never gets tired of hearing from you.
Amen.