June 18 | Genesis 18:22-23

“So the man turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. Then Abraham approached and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”” (Genesis 18:22–23)

When we ask people questions we learn much about their character and personality. We know about them from other people. But knowing about someone and getting to know them personally are two different knowledges. One is factual and the other is relational.

Abraham was just getting to know God even after many years of walking with him. God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, but Abraham’s nephew Lot lived in Sodom. Would God destroy Sodom even if righteous people lived there?

He assumed God would not destroy the righteous who follow his laws with the wicked who did not. Did God treat everyone the same even when they strive to follow him?

We put God in our boxes of justice. We don’t see him as fair if he treats the righteous the same as the wicked. What’s the point of being righteous if you receive the same judgment as the wicked? That’s what Abraham was after. What kind of God did he serve?

Abraham would discover that God was more righteous even than his standards. Abraham started with 50 righteous people and went down to 10. But there were only eight. God destroyed Sodom, but not before getting Lot and his family to safety. He was more honorable toward the few righteous then Abraham expected.

Action Step: God is more righteous than you can imagine. He teaches you righteousness. Trust that he will treat you better than you would treat yourself.

Lord, you are completely righteous and honorable in every situation. Teach me to trust in your character and not Christian you based on my understanding. I worship you for your goodness to me.