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I am not an alarmist.  In fact, I usually try to present my ideas in a fairly calm, diplomatic manner.  But now I feel an urgency to tell you what the Lord is showing me.

One day, according to Genesis 18, the Lord and "three men" appeared to Abraham by the terebinth trees of his desert home, where Abraham sat in his tent during the heat of the day.  Many things were discussed, including God’s extraordinary promise to Abraham and Sarah, of a son in their old age.  Then the conversation turned to more somber issues.

As Abraham walked with his visitors, they turned to look toward Sodom, and the Lord suddenly asked, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?”  Then He declared, Yes, I will tell him.  I will tell this mortal human being what the God of all creation is about to do, because I have a relationship with Abraham.  I know him, and his future and I want to be sure he can guide his household and keep My ways, to be just and righteous (see verse 19).

God told Abraham that He was going to visit and judge Sodom and Gomorrah because their sin was “so grievous.”  Judgment was coming.

What if God revealed something that momentous to you?  How would you react? I had to ask myself that, because there is a temptation to relish the idea of judgment—especially for someone else. The response or attitude is, “Well, good.  It’s about time.  They deserve it.  After all, we reap what we sow,” and on and on.

But what did Abraham do?  The Scripture says he “stood before the Lord” and challenged Him! He interceded on behalf of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, saying boldly to God, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? …Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

Abraham didn’t tell God, “Good, go get ‘em.”  Instead, he entered into a deep, passionate, courageous, personal intercession, as God knew he would. As he agonized with the Lord over impending judgment, he acknowledged, “I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes.”

The Lord knew Abraham’s heart.  God had poured His heart into Abraham’s, and Abraham in turn loved God and had a relationship with Him, which caused him to trust God and know His nature.  On the basis of God’s justice, Abraham said, “Don’t let the righteous be judged with the wicked.” And in the knowledge of God’s mercy, Abraham prayed, “Spare all the inhabitants of the city, including the wicked, for the sake of the righteous!”

By telling Abraham what was coming, the Lord gave him the opportunity to intercede.  Through Abraham’s intercession, the heart of God was being poured into him, and compassion, justice and mercy were being formed in his character.

Today, to put it bluntly, the storm clouds of judgment are gathering around our nation and the world. The radical, jihadist Muslims hate non-Muslim civilizations, and are a threatening force around the globe—and have backed up their threats with deadly action. We view them through our own fears and prejudices and cast our judgments upon them.  We also look at the world, at the turmoil, sin, disease, and destruction that do horrible things to human beings, and we can easily think, God needs to bring His judgment upon the world and His sworn enemies.  He needs to do something about this mess. And so He will.

What will be our response to this knowledge?

Will we, like Abraham, intercede before the Lord?  Will we go boldly before Him, knowing, like Abraham, that we can trust in His character and His love for all human beings? After all, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 1:9).  Or will we turn away, and hope that our lives are not touched and pretend it all isn’t happening?

I feel an urgent need to pay attention and realize that God’s judgment is coming. We need to pray and fast for God’s mercy and compassion to fall upon all of us, including the wicked.  Let us pray for revival, and an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon our nation and the world. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty,” says Psalm 91:1.  The “secret place” is the place of prayer, where we draw near to God and find safety and comfort under His wing. This place of prayer is where God “will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore”  (Psalm 16:11).  Prayer opens our hearts and lives to the very center and source of life: “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

I’m asking you to join me and thousands of believers for five days of prayer and fasting, March 3-7. You can also join us every Thursday morning from 6:00 -7:00 am for DAWN WATCH, a wonderful time to gather and go before the Lord. 

Let us seek the Lord together and prepare for what is coming through the power and passion of prayer.

May God pour His Spirit out upon us all,
Pastor Ray Bentley

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You can read more about the WEEK OF PRAYER AND FASTING HERE.