…. Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” So, the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people. Exodus 32:12-14
Have you ever had the experience of sitting around with members of your team and deliberating on a decision when all of a sudden one of them quotes you to you? When trying to arrive at a decision and not knowing which way to go, I have had the experience of people quoting to me something I’ve said to them in the past. They use my words to persuade me in a certain direction and often it works, it’s hard to argue with yourself or your words when someone is feeding them back to you. Kids also do this with their parents. In this conversation between Moses and God, it is Moses quoting God‘s promise back to him that persuades God to follow Moses advice to let the people live. We can see from the relationship that Moses had with God that God can be reasoned with, God can be persuaded, and God honors people who know his promises and stand on them. When we ask God a question, the answer is not always yes or no, sometimes God answers with silence, wait and be patient, or he lets us make the decision. I have discovered that if you make a reasonable case to God, there are times he will permit a thing but there are also times he will withhold his peace because there’s a better way for you. Knowing God‘s promises ensure you will always be standing on solid ground when coming to God and making your case.
In the relationship between Moses and God, it touched the Father’s heart when Moses spoke up to defend his honor or his people. Moses played the role of an intercessor and mediator from time to time. This touch God‘s heart because this is what God is always doing for you, interceding and fighting for you. You like Moses can intercede for people to God and intercede for God as you speak to people on His behalf.
REFLECT TO CONNECT:
- What promise of God are you standing on today?
- Have you ever had a conversation with God about something he said to you?
- Why do you think that God will sometimes follow your decision on a matter?
Principle: You like Jesus can intercede for people to God and intercede for God as you speak to people on His behalf.
