“The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now I will see wether or not what I say will come true for you” (Numbers 11:23)
Our verse today is drawn from an epic dialogue between Moses and God. In this case the Israelites after being liberated from Egypt had begun to halter and were doubting of God’s ability to deliver them to safety. Their apparent lack of faith had not settled well with God who wished to destroy all there. But Moses was not yet. He boldly pleaded with God to rescue him of this disaster, even offering his life, if need be. “If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me - if I have found favor in your eyes - and do not let me face my own ruin” (Numbers 11: 15).
The significance of this is that Moses had that confidence to take and argue his case before the Almighty. We find not only Moses but others who pleaded with God as one would with a good father. Seeing the desolation of Jerusalem, Daniel wept and pleaded with God, “Lord, listen! Lord forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God do not delay, because your city and your people bear my name” (Daniel 9:19). David once in distress also pleaded directly to God. “Do not hide your face from your servant, answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me, redeem me because of my foes..I am in pain and distress, may your salvation, O God, protect me” ( Psalm 69:18-29).
What we see in all these passages is individuals who when pressed would not hesitate but go and plead with the Almighty directly. This is why it has often been said that the relation we have with God is a personal one, unlike many other faiths. For believers we enjoy that confidence of walking to God to plead any matter before him as would a child before a loving father. After all, ours is a God who says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord ( Isaiah 1:18). Much like Moses, Daniel and David, today take whatever matter is deep on your heart, lay it before His feet, and plead with Him, whose answer is there for you; “Is the Lord’s arm too short ..” (Numbers 11:23).
Prayer for today: Lord father God in heaven, as a child comes to a father, today I walk directly to you and plead my case that you show me your mercy and everlasting goodness, in Christ’s name, I do pray!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
