“The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now I will see whether or not what I say will come true for you” - Numbers 11:23 (NIV)
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 favour 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!
Related upcoming events
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27/04/2024 - 28/04/2024 All day“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1).
In the wildlife, a common feature is predatory animals chasing after less ferocious ones, which on a bad day become good dinner. Through the savannah plains of Africa the antelope tends to suffer that fate. After a long chase from a mighty lion, cheetah or leopard; antelopes that survive tend to retreat to a fresh water spot. There they gladly refresh their quench with streams of water.
King David, must have been more familiar with deer, as there are more common in the Northern Hemisphere. For us in the tropics we can substitute the deer with our antelope, commonly chased by predators. After a long chase, of course all pant for pints of water.
The significance of this metaphor is that whenever we encounter any situation that puts us on a chase, where do we run to! Habakuk 3:19 says, “The Lord God give my strength. He helps me run fast like deer. He leads me safely on the mountains” (Habakuk 3:19).
Two things of note here. The Lord can make us run as fast as the fastest antelope being chased by a predator to a well of safety. And of course, as we run, we have that the well of God to end up to and refresh ourselves! This is why David wrote, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today like the antelopes of the wildlife I run to you, to that well of life, which refreshes my soul, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
