MOSES

            For the next few weeks I would like to consider one aspect in the lives of the Biblical characters of Moses, Job, Samuel, David, Solomon and Elijah; not everything about their lives, just a dimension of their prayer life.

            Of all the individuals in Scripture who engaged in prayer, few compare to Moses. He is described as the meekest man to ever live, yet his prayers were hardly mild and timid, and his early years in Egypt were not known for tameness and gentleness. His humility was honed and carved-out as an exile in the wilderness. From the palace to the sheep’s pen, from served to serving, from finery to common, from notoriety to disgrace, is a very humbling experience. (Exodus 3 and 4)

The intercessor

            Prayer and conversing with God became Moses’ purpose after a hallowed encounter at a burning bush. Prayer defined him and established all his activities. Intimate communion with God marked his existence and became his brand.

            The records of Moses during the wilderness wanderings that followed Israel’s deliverance from Egypt carry an overwhelming tone of unselfishness. His sole concern was how the redeemed were living before the Lord. He desired that the people abiding in an intimate relationship with the Redeemer would love Him fully and serve Him abundantly, something they constantly came up short of doing.

            And the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.’” (Exodus 32:7-10 ESV)

            But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people. (Exodus 32:11-14 ESV)

            If Moses had not been a faithful intercessor, destruction was looming over his immediate family and all the redeemed.

            Years later Moses reminded the conquering generation of the constant need for intercession, a form of prayer still regularly needed and often for prolonged periods of time. “Remember and do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD. Even at Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, and the LORD was so angry with you that he was ready to destroy you … You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you. So I lay prostrate before the LORD for these forty days and forty nights, because the LORD had said he would destroy you. And I prayed to the LORD, ‘O Lord GOD, do not destroy your people and your heritage, whom you have redeemed through your greatness, whom you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do not regard the stubbornness of this people, or their wickedness or their sin….’” (Deuteronomy 9:7-8, 24-27 ESV)

            The Israelites were in such a stubborn state that justice rightly called for their destruction. Moses understood only one ray of hope existed, grace. Unmerited favor became the foundation of his plea. “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Problems within

            Are God’s people any less stiff-necked? Are their moments when family and friends bow to cravings other than the Lord, causing heavenly disappointment and disgust? There seems to be very little time or distance between crossing a sea and bowing to fads, even today. Someone must intercede. Who will stand in the gap?

            Where are the intercessors today for those leading the church and the church family? Some grumble about the bride of Christ and complain about the problems. How does this accomplish anything productive? There always has been and always will be messes to clean up.

            The church can be very stubborn at times, bent on “my way or the highway.” Anything touched my sinful humanity ends up tainted and flawed. Thus, the constant needed for intercession. The Lord is more than able to correct and reestablish His redeemed people, yet only when stiff-neck and stubborn attitudes are addressed through prayer.

Problems without

            “This is the word of the LORD… Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 ESV) The options are still available. Not by military might or political power but only by the supernatural intervention of the Spirit will the church prevail in the current hostile environment. The call has been extended to the people of God for greater dependence on the Lord.

            Are you confronting the numerous problems experienced today by demanding civil protest and physical conflict, or by thinking referendums can bring a righteous solution? The corrective actions of group domination and majority opinion are the foolish tactics of the masses, not the redeemed. Should the church use a clearly proven inferior approach for addressing the cataclysmic crisis looming over her? There is nothing greater than tapping into the resources of the Heavenly Father, ever.

Problems to the end

            Scripture is very clear. As the end of time approaches, perilous moments will intensify. Who can deny the signs already appearing on the horizon? The issues will not be solved by military intervention, or at elections booths, or in legislative chambers.

            Have you forgotten what American and World History classes taught in high school? Military and political solutions fail to achieve righteous ends, only temporary reprieves and incomplete fixes.
            I once read the following: “The only thing learned from history is that we don’t learn from history.” No doubt this will eventually be the epitaph of the world, but does it have to be for the people of God? My hope is for the church to be smarter than the spirit of the age.

            Instead of embracing a losing strategy, enter into regular intercession and, if need be, prolonged periods of prayer for the bride of Christ? Will you place a prayer hedge around her while she becomes properly adorned for the marriage supper of the Lamb? Will you increase intercession for the wellbeing of the family of God?

Intercession

            Israel in the wilderness demonstrated selfish grumbling, Moses demonstrated unselfish intercession. What is your testimony? Who have you chosen as your role model? Choose wisely!