Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Sodom and Gomorrah - Press Your Luck

Genesis 18:29-33 He spoke to Him yet again and said, "Suppose forty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it on account of the forty."Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."And he said, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the twenty."Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the ten."As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.

Do you remember the game show from the early 1980's called 'Press Your Luck' - Here's the tagline: Today, these 3 players are after high stakes! But they'll have to avoid the whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood, it's time to Press Your Luck! The players of this game would have to hit the button and hope to avoid the whammy (little demon) and lose everything.

This is what came to my mind when I read these verses. Abraham must be thinking this same thing - how far can I go before God says 'forget it - you've pushed Me too far and I'm just taking them all out'.

The difference between the show Press Your Luck and pressing your luck with God is that God doesn't throw out any whammies. God doesn't turn on you because you ask something too many many times. It's when you don't go to God with your concerns that those whammies (devils tricks) creep in to try to wipe away that relationship you have with God.

One more thing, in the final words of the conversation God tells Abraham that He will not destroy the city if there are ten found righteous as Abraham has asked - and Abraham turns and goes home. He doesn't continue after God saying - 'are you sure?' or 'should I remind you later?' He goes home resting in God's promise.
I want to be able to do that. I want to rest on His promise that He will take care of everything - no matter who's president or what the economy is like - that God is still on the throne, Jesus is still in control, and we can sleep easy tonight.

6 comments:

Greg C said...

I remember that show. As in all game shows, it is all about greed. How greedy are you and how lucky do you feel. I hate pushing my luck so I tend to take the safe route. I wouldn't do good on a game show.

I agree with what you said. He is still in control. I laugh when I hear people say that now that O is president, things will turn around. I hope so but he is only part of God's plan.

sailorcross said...

Oh, I have pressed my luck far too many times in my life!! And, now I'm taking the straight and narrow path, trying very hard not to veer to the right or the left.

Do I still? Yes, but God is always there saying, "No, walk this way." And even if I do veer, He is there to guide me back with open arms.

God is still in control, no matter who is in the White House. We need to pray that our new President and his staff seek and follow God's will for our country.

Beth

God's girl said...

Yes, I want to trust too no matter what. Good post.
Much love,
Angela

Kay Martin said...

Sadly getting used to always giving into our feelings instead of choosing the "right" thing to do is gradual slipping away. The time of hope for those "pressing their luck" was when they first began to lean in the direction of lawlessness.

Abraham was a law abiding man; he could not imagine that over time he was the man weighing decisions in light of God. How sad for him to have family and probably friends in that community. You feel his passion and concern for children and the innocent ones attached to the lawless rebels.

Yeah...pressing my luck days are over; Thank God.

Be blessed mighty woman of God Bible teacher of excellence!

Kelly said...

I don't remember the show, but I wonder if I do press my luck. Hmmm.

Our Sword said...

No whammy no whammy no whammy STOP! I liked that gameshow when I was a kid