Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

Genesis 18:23-33

And Abraham came near and said, “Would You [the Lord] also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 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?”
So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?”
So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”
And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.”
Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”
Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”
And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” So the LORD went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.(NKJV; BibleGateway.com)

Tell me we don't have a patient God! Can you imagine talking to our Lord this way... negotiating with our omnipotent God? Does this take gall or what?

Or, does it take a personal, close, comfortable relationship with him? It is obvious that Abraham had this type of relationship with God, after all God had called on him and he had always obeyed God and would continue to obey him. He would obey him to the point of being willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac.

Not many of us are to this point in our relationship with God... I know I'm not. I don't think I would have the "guts" to continue to question him when he informs me of what he intends to do. I would like to think that someday I will have this kind of relationship with my Lord but, at this point, I just have to continue to pray, and read and study his word. Amen and Amen.