READING: Exodus 31-33, Matthew 22:1-22
“But if not, please erase me from the book You have written.”
Exodus 32:32
I’ve had the privilege of sitting with great intercessors and hearing them pray. I’ve heard them approach the throne of God with such passion and faith that I was ashamed of my little faith. I've watched them so powerfully believe in the promises of God that they had no problem making bold requests of the Father. I’ve seen them grieve over lostness and rejoice over the saved. Seldom have I seen modeled such strong relationships with God as I’ve seen in intercessors; they speak, and you just know that God hears. They’re amazing people to me.
Never, though, have I heard any of them pray quite what Moses prayed for the people of God after they had worshipped the golden calf. The people had committed a grievous sin against God, but Moses began to intercede for them in a way that stops me in my tracks every time I read the words: “Now if You would only forgive their sin. But if not, please erase me from the book You have written” (Exo. 32:32). Moses, their leader, had been indignant at their sin – so much so that he shattered the tablets he brought from the mountain – but still he was willing to give up his own life if the people were not to be forgiven. Perhaps He was willing to offer himself on their behalf, though he could never bear their sin; or, maybe he was simply saying, “I’d rather die than have your people remain unforgiven.” Either way, I’m not sure I would have prayed that way.
I hope that I would have, but I don’t know. It’s easy to talk about carrying such a burden, but it’s harder to cross the street to tell others about Jesus. It’s easy to read about and pray over unreached people groups, but it’s not so easy to pack our bags and move to live among them. It’s probably even harder to care deeply about the people of God when they reject their leadership, ignore their history, and turn to false gods. As Paul noted, it’s rare that one would die even for a righteous person, much less for someone who does not follow God (Rom. 5:7). If living the Great Commission lifestyle every day is so difficult, why would we think we’d ever die for the sake of others? Especially for idolaters who had turned their back on God?
Yet, that’s what Jesus did for us. He died for us while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8), and today He is both our Redeemer and our intercessor. Praise Him!
ACTION STEPS:
- Think about intercessors who have prayed for you over the years. Thank God for them.
- Spend some time interceding for a non-believer or for a believer who has wandered.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You for people who have interceded for me over the years. Make me an intercessor.”
TOMORROW'S READING: Exodus 34-35, Matthew 22:23-46
