Prayer, Week 6 Day 2

Book The Essentials of Effective Prayer

Week 6, Day 2, pages 76-77

Scripture: Exodus 32:9-14

Good morning,  ladies!  Here are my word/Word study and thoughts for Day 2 from the Effective Prayer book.  Looking forward to your sharing.

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Entreated/besought comes from two Hebrew words:

chalah (2470):  to be or become

• Weak
• Sick
• Grieved
• Sorry

Face/Paniym (644):  face or presence

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After Moses heard God speak, he faced Him or came into His presence weakened by what he had heard, sick in heart, grieved and sorry for his/His people's obstinance. 

Hmmm….. a few weeks ago (in post 585), I shared my thoughts on an Oswald Chamber's devotion where I saw intercessory prayer as praying the heart of God, rather than praying for "patching up" of a soul. I can pray, "Father-God, what is your heart for this person? What does she need to experience in her circumstances so that her soul will get into contact with Your Life, Life-in-Christ?"

Here in Exodus 32:11, Moses is praying the heart of God because he is grieved, sorry, sick in heart-- just like God is.  When Moses heard from the Lord, he felt God's heart.  And God was proving Moses here, wasn't He?  God offered Moses a chance to start anew with Moses as the beginning of a great nation. Honestly, if I were Moses, I would probably want to take that offer.  Just start over, Lord, with me as your (wo)man!  What pride!

But Moses was not looking at himself as a leader of a new nation; rather, he was concerned about the "reputation" (for lack of a better word) of God in the world/Egypt.  Not only did Moses share God's grieving heart but he also cared about God's Name being glorified in the world.  Moses was not concerned about his own reputation and advancement; instead, he was concerned about the people he loved-- the obstinate people he loved. 

When we hear from others, do we really hear their heart or only listen with our ears and our ideas?  When we hear from God, do we hear His heart or only see His judgment?  Yes, sin should be judged-- and it will!  In God's perfect timing. 

But in the meantime, as we see God's judgment for sin as a reality, can we also share in God's heart of mercy until that awful time of judgment?  When God "repents," He is showing mercy (not giving us what we do deserve); and through our intercessory prayer for others, as we share God's grieving heart over others' sin, we too will change our mind about immediate judgment, showing mercy like God, giving people time to change and grow, knowing that ultimately God will judge sin. 

Father-God, thank You for Your mercy towards me, not giving me what I do deserve, and for the intercessory prayers of those who shared Your heart when I walked willfully in sin.  Help me to hear not only your judgments but to share your sorrowful heart and show mercy to others who are grieving You because of their sin, either willfully or ignorantly, for we disciples know that Your goodness, lovingkindness, and longsuffering lead to repentance (Romans 2:4).  Thank You, Lord.

Linda

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