07/08/2024
This morning we will begin by studying one of the most incredible examples of intercessory prayer. Moses goes to the mountain to receive the first set of tablets but while he is gone the Israelites ask Aaron to build them a golden calf to worship... which he does. Moses isn't aware of this when God tells him He will destroy the Israelites and build a nation from his offspring (much like the promise to Abraham). But, Moses prays that God will spare them.
“And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?”
Exodus 32:11 KJV
God's first and greatest commandment had been violated but Moses continues to pray for the offenders.
As we look back on the words that God spoke to Moses regarding this commandment it is obvious by not only the length at which He spoke, but by the content of His words that this was His greatest commandment and concern. The other commandments were simple "do this", or "don't do that" commandments but with this one God took great care to add emphasis to His words… listen.
“I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
Exodus 20:2-6 KJV
The tablets had not yet been delivered to the people and already they were breaking God's greatest commandment. Then, as if to rub salt into the wound Aaron (of all people) had cast the golden calf.
Moses prayed for 40 days and nights that the Israelites be spared, and God heard his prayers. He dealt with the problem in a way other than total destruction.
Pastor E.M. Bounds described the efforts of Moses in this way:
"For forty days and forty nights he fasted and prayed. What a season of persistent prayer that was!"
Today we pray similar prayers for those around us who place golden calves before God. We pray for those who worship money, power, sex, church position, other men, and many other false gods. Some that we pray for happen to be our own children and family members. Our prayers are just like those of Moses in that we are interceding for the modern day version of the children of Israel. Will our prayers be as fervent as those of Moses? Can we change lives, our church, and perhaps the world, from our prayer closets?
This morning, before we enter into prayer, let's look around us and prepare ourselves to pray for those who are placing some kind of false god before the One True God, Jehovah. Then, let's enter into secret prayer for them. Let's ask God to spare them and to employ His Holy Spirit in granting them an unwavering faith in Him, and in redirecting their lives.
As we looked about before entering into prayer... did we discover that the person we were preparing to pray for was ourselves? Did we find a golden calf in our own lives? If so, persistent penitent prayer is just as powerful when we pray it in repentance for ourselves as it is in asking for God to forgive others.
God is a jealous God, but He is also merciful and forgiving... Let’s seek his mercy today for our sins, and the sins of those around us. Through persistent Intercessory prayer let’s ask God to have mercy on our own versions of Israel, and change them.... He can certainly change us today.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the mercy and grace you show us through our prayers for one another. Thank you for your Son Jesus who provides us with the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and teaches us to pray as we should. Help us Father to stay focused on you, and to never place anything, or anyone above you. This is the day that you have made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it. Our prayers will lift us up, encourage us, and fill us with your peace and joy through the confidence we have in your Word, and the provision you promise to deliver us as we pray. Help us Lord as we struggle in our lives, and hear our prayers from the first light of each new day to the setting of the sun and the peaceful slumber we find at night in your protective embrace. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who promises to hear our prayers, and to answer them when prayed in faith, your will, and the name of Jesus. Keep us close to you Abba, and instruct us in the way we should go as we live out your plan and will for us. Let our voices rise up from our many places of prayer and bless you as they do. Let us glorify you with every prayerful request we make, and please you with the sound and smell of our sweet prayers as they rise from golden bowls mixed with the smoke of incense that has been kindled there. Feel the love that accompanies them Father as they waft about you day and night… never-ending, and always meant to be pleasing to you, and as they are offered with those of Jesus who prays for us in intercession. Let each word and groan caress you, and as they do, call us worthy of spending eternity in your presence, and in divine prayer with you forevermore. Praised be your name as we humbly worship you from bended knees, and precious our prayers that we cradle lovingly in our outstretched hands.
Amen!
Rich Forbes