Does God Compromise?

“I shall argue that strong men, conversely, know when to compromise and that all principles can be compromised to serve a greater principle.”

Andrew Carnegie

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Compromise. Compromise is the middle ground between winning and losing. It is the answer to the heated debate in which both heads have grown too proud. It is the default of politics. It is the peacekeeper in thunderous relationships. Our world is designed around compromise. It is the give and take of society. Without compromise, our lives would not be able to sustain in the chaotic tug of war between pain and pleasure, freedom and responsibility.

Is there ever compromise with God? Is it possible to change the mind of God? The answer is actually yes. Abraham convinced God to compromise (Genesis 18). Ezekiel convinced God to let him compromise (Ezekiel 4:12-15). Moses literally changes God’s mind (Numbers 14). And let’s not forget the Canaanite woman who convinced Jesus to heal her daughter despite His initial refusal (Matthew 15:21-28). All of these people accomplished a sort of compromise – they adjusted God’s standpoint on a certain issue.

What do all of these people have in common? Their compromise consisted of intercession. They stood between God and man; they convinced God to show mercy either on themselves, as in the case of Ezekiel, or on others. Why did God honor their arguments? They argued in righteousness. They did what God wants us to do.

Let’s look at Ezekiel 22:30-31; “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with my wrath…”

When God is ready to pour out something negative on His people, He actually wants people to stand before Him and compromise with Him; no, God, your will is too great for your people to bear, so have mercy on them. We are all called to this ministry. We are all called to cry out before God on behalf of mankind; to ask God to shower grace and deliver mercy. Both Christ and the Holy Spirit conduct this ministry with us (Hebrews 7:25 and Romans 8:26-27) so we are not alone in it. However, Christ and the Holy Spirit do not relieve us of this duty or prayer. They partner with us and empower us to accomplish intercessory.

There are times when God is willing to compromise His decisions for the benefit of His people. There are times when He is not. However, if we have neglected the duty of interceding before Him on behalf of ourselves and others, we may only have ourselves to blame when we are burned by the bowls of God’s wrath that He otherwise may never have poured out in the first place.