Little Do We Know...

Abraham had already saved his life once.  He used brute force with a willingness to sacrifice his own people and even his own life to save this city-boy nephew of his.  But this time, Abraham knew the battle would be impossible to win.  This time the army he would be facing, wouldn't be flesh and blood.  This time, in order to save Lot's life by force, he would have to do battle with the Lord, and that just wasn't going to work. 

I can't imagine how Abraham must have felt when the Angel of the Lord told him that Sodom and Gomorrah was going to be destroyed, because of their great sin.  He must have been stunned, realizing that Lot - who was living there at the time - would be destroyed with all the rest.  

Immediately, Abraham got to work - not with his hands this time, but with his words.  Lot's uncle petitioned the Lord over and over again - six different times - to spare the cities, if He found any a number of righteous people there.  After the sixth time, the Angel of the Lord left, leaving Abraham to his imagination and wandering thoughts. 

I'm sure that wasn't the last time Abraham interceded for Lot.  I am sure that the rest of the day, Abraham had Lot on his mind and petitioned God in heaven for his life and the lives of the others around him.  I also can imagine that he probably didn't sleep much that night.  I know I wouldn't have. 

Scripture says Abraham went "early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord.  Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plains, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.  And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt" (Gen. 19:27).

I wonder how long it took before Abraham found out that God had spared Lot?  No inhabitant of the cities remained alive to run and tell him of Lot's safe passage, as they'd done before.  That morning as Abraham looked out toward the cities, it seems all that was visible was the smoke.  Sodom and Gomorrah had been destroyed without even ten found to be righteous...not even ten.

I wonder what went through Abraham's.  Was he heartbroken?  Did he trust God's will was done?  Did he think his petitions went unanswered?  Whatever the case, what seemed to be THE CASE, wasn't really THE CASE at all. 

For, little did Abraham know what had really transpired overnight.  Little did he know that the angels had met Lot at the gate and provided them a place of refuge.  Little did Abraham know that after the visitors told Lot about the cities' pending destruction, he hesitated in leaving, so they physically hurried him and his family out of the city.  Little did Abraham know that when they arrived safely outside the city, the angels told Lot he needed to hurry to the nearby city of his choosing, because they could not "do anything until you arrive there." (v.22).  Little did Abraham know that Lot was safe and that God had "remembered" him.  

All Abraham could see was smoke. 

What he thought had happened in the middle of the night - what he thought was the reality of the situation, wasn't the reality at all...little did he know...

And little do we.  

We have no idea what events are unfolding in the lives of those around us, simply because we are praying for them.  Little do we know if God is using this hard thing in their lives to cause them to be incredible trophies of His grace and testimonies of His love in the near future.  Little do we know how He is protecting and personally guiding their every step - their every moment.  Little do we know the impact that our prayers are having today, on the lives of those we love, especially, if all we see is smoke.
 
My friend, don't let the "seeming reality" fool you.  God is living and very much involved in your life and the lives of those around you.  And when you choose to intercede, God is overjoyed with excitement that you chose to ask Him to do a great work in the life of someone else.  However, this "great work" may not seem like such a "great work," as you pray.  It may seem like everything is actually getting worse, than before you started interceding. 

Let me encourage you though.  Don't just look at the smoke.  Don't just look at what you see with your physical eyes.  Trust God to "remember" your prayers in the lives of others.  For little do we know...

Dearest Jesus, I pray for that person right now who needs Your encouragement to keep praying when the "good work" doesn't seem so good.  I ask that You give them Your eyes to see what is truly going on and Your strength to continue praying through their concerns.  Oh what a great and mighty God, You are...capable and able to do exceedingly above all that we can ask or even imagine.  Encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ today, Lord, as You have encouraged me.  I love You, Lord.