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As I sat before the Lord and spoke of many things, a picture came to me.  I saw a man sitting on a hill, just short of the crest.  Behind Him was Glory that I could not see.  It was too wonderful for my mind to conceive.  And it stretched out above the man from behind.  As this Glory extended beyond the man and over him, it faded into darkness.  And in that darkness was a place of torment.  Suddenly, I realized it was Abraham sitting there with Lazarus laying against him.  Abraham was calmly observing the souls in torment.  All the while the Glory of God was at his back.

Then I understood something I hadn’t even thought to ask before.  Why was Abraham sitting on that hill in the first place?  And why was Lazarus laying against him?  Why wasn’t Abraham enjoying the Glory of God behind him?  What was he doing to sit there and watch the horror unfold before him?

Abraham was remembering who he was.  And Lazarus was busy loving his friend.  Perhaps Abraham had brought Lazarus with him to survey the end result of certain behaviors.  Perhaps, having met and listened to Lazarus’ story of salvation from certain death, Abraham wanted to revisit the end of Lazarus’ story.   The story doesn’t tell us why he was there in the first place.  But what was Abraham learning, or remembering, as he sat there with Lazarus?

Abraham was learning and remembering that no man is righteous on his own merit.  He was learning the equitable nature of God’s wisdom.  He was remembering the Glory of God which was displayed behind him.  And he was watching the Glory of God which was displayed before him.  And in his very presence, Abraham’s body felt the warmth of Lazarus who had been rescued from that place of torment.  The lesson was dramatic to Abraham.  And he was busy with learning about the Holiness of the God who is all wise and pure in His judgments.  In a way, Abraham was experiencing a truth we should all learn with diligence.  We either respect the God of all Life, or regret will follow us for eternity.

We say, “But for the Grace of God, there go I”.  And we don’t know the full truth of that saying yet.  But wasn’t this what Abraham was doing there?  He was learning the truth of that saying first hand.  He had understood the value of that statement as he traveled this place of testing.  And now he was seeing the saying play out before his very eyes.  And along with the truth of horror, lay the truth of redemption and joy.  What a startling contrast!  And what an incredible tool for those who are allowed to taste life.

This story about Lazarus and the rich man is a truth we would do well to consider with great depth.  For there is such a place as Abraham was visiting.  And there is an Abraham who sits on that hill from time to time.  And there is a Lazarus who joins him for the sake of love.  And, sadly, there are rich men who inhabit that place of torment. 

Pride has no place in the soul of a man of God.  We are all of those who receive God’s Grace.  And this story of Abraham is a vibrant lesson we would do well to take to heart.  Not one player in that story was God.  But each was receiving what God had apportioned to him.  Be wise and consider the outcome of your life.  That place is not far from any of us.

Father, I am glad at this vision You sent me.  My heart is filled with a glorious joy that You would have the mercy to let me see this.  I present this vision with words.  May all who read this be allowed to see the same picture with a vibrant clarity.  By the Marvelous Name of Your Son Jesus, I give you thanks.

By His Grace.