MEMORISE: I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Deuteronomy 9:26
BIBLE READING: Exodus 32:9-14
- And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
- Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
- And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
- Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
- Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
- And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
MESSAGE:
Moses was referred to as the meekest man on the earth in his generation (Numbers 12:3). He was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and his patience was tested by the stubborn Israelites on numerous occasions. Anytime they faced any challenge, such as enemies’ attacks, hunger, or thirst, they would blame Moses for bringing them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. Amid these criticisms, Moses genuinely prayed for them.
In today’s Bible reading, the people murmured so much that God decided to destroy them; however, Moses interceded for them. Many other people would have been glad that God wanted to destroy the people who were making life unbearable for them. On the contrary, Moses was not glad; instead, he begged God to have mercy on them.
My dear child, when people antagonise you or say bad things about you, do not pray that God should punish them; rather, go on your knees and pray that God would have mercy on them. Remember that Jesus, our Lord and saviour, prayed for the Roman soldiers who crucified Him while He hung on the cross.
KEY POINT:
When people hurt you, ask God to forgive them.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Hosea 10:1-14:9 Jude 1:1-25