Moses – The Everyday Prayer

Signs

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 3:7-15, 4:1-17 (day six)

What if they don’t believe me? Or think I am weird? What if they ask questions I can’t answer? Moses had these insecurities when God called him to lead his people out of slavery. God assured him that He would provide signs, signs that would lead people to believe that what he said was true.

Jesus promised the church signs as well. He said, “If you love one another, then they will know you are my disciples.” In His high priestly prayer he also said, “Lord may they be one as we are one,…so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you have loved me.” Two signs, love and unity. The promise is that when we love the way Jesus loved, when we see and savor God in unity then the world will believe God’s message of reconciliation.

What sign does your family, co-workers, and neighbors need to see?

The Heart of the Matter

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 35:4-10; 20-35; 36:2-7 (day five)

²¹Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought… ²²Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought… ²⁹The Israelites, all the men and women, whose heart moved them to bring material for all the work, which the Lord had commanded through Moses to be done, brought a freewill offering to the Lord.

It’s a wonderful thing to brush up against someone who has had his or her “heart or spirit stirred” by the Lord’s mission or message:

They see potential and possibilities. They know their part or piece is important, but also recognize there is a “larger” purpose and mission involved.

They have a sense of urgency. I remember my pastor growing up used to say, “Delayed obedience is disobedience”.

They work, serve, and give with joy. That’s a distinctly different perspective. It looks, sounds, and feels like worship.

They intuitively understand what they must give or do. The Holy Spirit does this work in the heart of the believer. (John 16)

The Israelites whose hearts were stirred: they gave, they brought, they worked, and they participated. Sounds a lot like a New Testament Church too, doesn’t it?

An Exact Representation

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 35:4-10; 20-35; 36:2-7 (day four)

Who would have ever known that the atonement of man would look like gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, and acacia wood? When God plundered the Egyptians as the Israelites left Egypt, gave Moses very detailed design instructions, and placed understanding, knowledge and craftsmanship in Bezalel and Oholiab…He had a specific plan for worship. The Tabernacle was to be the place of worship for Israel, but more importantly, it was a picture of Christ and His work of atonement. It was to be an exact picture…a shadow…of the true Tabernacle in heaven. To give an inaccurate picture of God’s plan for redemption was not an option. God rightly demanded an exact representation so that mankind would know the singular plan for redemption. God’s instructions are for a purpose…when He gives us directions in Scripture it is for a purpose. Our obedience is required to give an exact picture of the reality of heaven. Christianity is not just a list of rules…it is a relationship. We are to be a picture of our Creator God and His Kingdom work!

Effectual and fervent prayer

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 32:1-19, 30-33; 33:12-17; 34:1-7 (day seven)

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”–James 5:16 (KJV). It is a burden. No way round this truth. Real prayer is eventually a relief and a blessing, but before that it is hard and holy work! It is also an expression of love. When we love people, we pray for them. Not in an easy, casual, convenient sort of way. With passion and perseverance. Like Moses in Exodus 32. Having received just a hint of hope from God, “let me alone so that my anger may burn against them”–32:10, Moses discerns an opportunity to intercede. Not for himself. Not even for them, I think, but in pursuit of the higher purpose of God. Reminds me of Jesus in Gethsemane. Reminds me also of God’s unchanging invitation. “Call unto Me and I will show you great and mighty things that you do not know.”–Jeremiah 33:3. The highest purposes of God come only when we pray.

The Prayer of Moses

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 32:1-19, 30-33; 33:12-17; 34:1-7 (day six)

After reading Moses’ conversations with God this week, it made me consider my own. Moses was clearly bold, passionate, and persuasive; it was as if he were arguing with his best friend. I believe there is much to learn from these conversations between Moses and God. As I reflect on my own prayer life, it begs a few questions:

Is my prayer life bold? Are my prayers filled with meaningless repetitive phrases, or am I having real and regular conversations with God? Do I pray believing that He has the power to act on my behalf and on the behalf of others? Do I remind God of His promises? Do I pray knowing that only God can save? Do I pray as if it really matters that I pray at all?

The Bible describes Moses’ conversations with God as “face to face.” This paints a beautiful yet fearful picture of their relationship. Moses boldly spoke with the Creator, believing that He alone had the power and the will to shape his destiny and that of His people. Perhaps, even more awesome is that God invites us to do the same. He calls us to “boldly approach His throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:16) He invites us to have real and meaningful conversations that have consequence, that matter!

Father, teacher us to pray like Moses!