Dare to Draw Near -part1

“And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Genesis 18:23

There’s something powerful about those words: “Abraham drew near.” In some translations, it reads, “Abraham approached.” But the phrase holds weight beyond its surface. This wasn’t a casual stroll toward God. Abraham was stepping into a sacred moment — reverent, courageous, and covenantal.

The Hebrew word translated “drew near” is nāgaš, and it’s no ordinary word. It’s used in the Old Testament when someone approaches for serious matters — to intercede, to worship, or even to make a legal case. Abraham wasn’t just praying. He was stepping into what looked like a courtroom, appealing to the divine judge with bold respect.

He drew near because he knew the one he was speaking to. Abraham, the friend of God (James 2:23), wasn’t speaking to a distant deity. He was speaking to his covenant Lord. That’s why he could say, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25). He was appealing not just to God’s power, but to His justice.

Make no mistake — Abraham was standing in the gap. He wasn’t pleading for himself, but for Sodom. He didn’t excuse their wickedness. He simply asked, “Will You sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” He was functioning almost like a priest, though long before there were Levites or altars.

In fact, the same word nāgaš is used of priests drawing near to offer sacrifices (Leviticus 10:3; Ezekiel 44:15). Abraham here is offering a prayer, not a lamb. But it’s no less sacred. He is lifting his voice in bold intercession, standing between judgment and mercy.

Hebrews 4:16 tells us:

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Did you catch that? Not a throne of condemnation — but a throne of grace. And not with timidity — but with boldness.

In the Old Testament, the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant was the one place a high priest could go — once a year — to seek atonement for the people. But now, because of Jesus our High Priest, that place of mercy is always open. Not just to priests, not just once a year, not with fear — but with freedom, confidence, and access (Ephesians 2:18; Romans 8:15).

Someone told me once — a Christian of over 30 years — that he had never prayed for more than two minutes on his own. Not once. He had learned to give thanks for food, or ask for help in a moment, but he didn’t know that prayer could go deeper. He didn’t know you could reason with God.

But the Word says you can.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD…” (Isaiah 1:18)

That’s not blasphemy. That’s invitation. God welcomes your voice. He welcomes your reasoning. Not as a challenge, but as a child would reason with a Father.

The people of old did it:

“Righteous Father, Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25), You are holy, just, and true in all Your ways (Deuteronomy 32:4). You weigh the hearts of men (Proverbs 21:2), and nothing escapes Your sight (Hebrews 4:13). You do not show partiality, and You always do what is right.”

If they prayed that way, why shouldn’t you?

Try It. Today.

Have you ever truly entered into petition and supplication — where time melts away and your heart wrestles with heaven? Have you ever drawn near with your whole being — not just speaking, but reasoning with God?

Try it.

Bring Him your burdens. Bring Him your questions. Bring Him the cries of your heart. He is not distant. He is not hiding. He is not unwilling.

He is waiting.

Abraham interceded based on God’s covenant with him. We come on the basis of a better covenant — through Jesus, our Advocate and High Priest (Hebrews 8:6).

Abraham appealed to the justice of God with reverence. You are invited to do the same — not with pride, but with sonship, because you are no longer a stranger but a child of God (Romans 8:15).

We are no longer trembling at the foot of Sinai (Exodus 20:18–19). We are welcomed into the presence of God — not once a year, but every single day.

So draw near. Speak. Reason. Intercede. Stand in the gap. Don’t settle for two-minute prayers when the throne of grace is wide open.

Draw near — and see what God will do.

Kay Alli