Are You In That Number? . ..

I have often heard individuals say, especially Christian individuals, I want to be in that number, being in that number that will one day stand face to face with our Lord and Savior. So, how does one get in that number? Being in that number will require a walk in life that is righteous in the eyes of our Lord, a walk that as one writer described as, down roads less traveled, a path with few visible signs of human steps. It can be a lonely number, one with few takers, or friends. It's a number that does not bend to peer pressure, a number that can't be bought; it is a number that God already knows. .. so the question is. .. are you in that number?

In the Book of Genesis Chapter 18 beginning at verse 20, we get to see how Abraham used the numbers of the righteous in his attempt to save a city. Now you bible scholars already know the city, you didn't even have to say it out loud, you thought it. .. within yourself. But even saying and thinking things within yourself is not out of God's listening ear. I only mention this because in a a few earlier verses in the same chapter, Sarah had laughed within herself when God had told her husband that she would bear a child in her old age. Now Sarah, being afraid (Genesis 18:15) denied it, saying, I laughed not, but the Lord said, nay, but thou didst laugh. Now Sarah, only laughed within herself, and God heard it. .. so if you sitting there thinking whatever you are thinking within yourself as you read this. .. He can hear you. We all like to believe that God answers prayers. .. and he does. ..but know that he hears those words within as well. .. if you start to let a little doubt into the equation. .. with some inner thoughts that no man can hear or ever know. .. except. .. God knows, and in verse 14 of chapter 18 in Genesis, He says, Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. .. why?. ..

Because Sarah was in that number. ... when you are in that number, you have a relationship with God, and when you have a relationship with God, there are things about you that God knows and because he knows these things He is able to show you mercy and grace even when your wife laughs within herself. (Genesis 18:17-33) Look at this relationship. .. verse seventeen. ..

And the Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

Now look at what God says next. .. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgement; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. ..Are you in that number?

And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. .. Now you know things must have been real bad if God Himself says, " I will go down now and see. .. Can you imagine. .. could it be as bad as I am hearing, could it be as bad as I am being told. ...

But watch this, verse twenty-two, And the men turned their face from thence and went toward Sodom: ( they going to deal with the situation)

But Abraham stood yet before the Lord. ..understand what just happened. ... two old friends still standing there talking. ... y'all go on. .. Abraham wants to talk a little longer with me. .. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city; wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous within the city; wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?

Are you in that number? .. Look what Abraham says next, verse twenty-five; That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked; and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee; Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

In other words. .. Lord, you are the Judge of all the earth, surely you will do right by the righteous. You have to be in a relationship with God to even think this less more say it. ..verse twenty-six. .. And the Lord said, If, I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake. Are you in that number?

Now, I believe a couple of things are happening in Abraham's mind at this moment. .. first, he knows that he has family there, Lot, his nephew and his family, and I believe that number included some of Lot's friends hopefully. .. Are you in that number? . .. Abraham is not sure. .. Look what happens next. ..

And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes; Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous; wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? . .. And He said (the Lord) if I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. .. Now I am thinking. ... Abraham is still not sure. .. but God already knows. And think about this. .. Abraham is interceding on behalf of his family and their friends. ... and God knows it. .. and He hears him. That is why you see in the book of James 5:16, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. .. But Abraham is still not sure. .. Are you in that number? ..

And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And He said I will do it for forty's sake. .. But Abraham is still not sure. .. Are you in that number?

And he said unto Him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak; Peradventure thee shall thirty be found there. And He said I will not do it, if I find thirty there. .. But Abraham is still not sure. ..are you in that number?

So here he goes. .. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.

Abraham was probably scratching his head about now because the concessions from God were coming quickly. .. what did God know that Abraham did not? It's like asking your parents to allow you to do something that you are expecting them to say no to, and they say yes. .., it feels too easy, you thinking, what did I miss, this has to be a setup. .. where is He going with this. Are you in that number? . .. Abraham is not sure.

And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And He said, I will not destroy if for ten's sake. .. And the Lord went his way, and soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

From fifty to ten. .. and in the end. .. (Genesis 19:29) 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 dwelt. ..only Lot and his two daughters escaped God's wrath and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. .. When God's wrath falls, will you be in that number identified as the righteous of God, will you be be one of the righteous who will boldly intercede on behalf of others. .. how will you be counted?

May you grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be Glory both now and forever. .. Amen (II Peter 3:18)