Moses confronts God in prayer

As the Lenten season leads us to Easter, our times of seeking God can lead us to repentance. But undoubtedly we mean our need to repent, not God’s!

Moses had other thoughts. His honesty, faith, and daring placed him face-to-face with God – a position which can also lead to confrontation!

Exodus 32:11-13 – King James Version

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.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

Exodus 32:11-13 – paraphrased

O, Lord, why are You so angry

with Your people – the very ones

You rescued with such great power?

After displaying Your mighty force,

do You really want everyone

to think You brought us here 

to strike us dead?

Please do not bring disaster!

Remember Your faithful servants

who have gone before us –

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob –

and how You promised them

countless descendants

more numerous than stars.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased by nullMary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

As Christians, we’re also to be honest with God and express our faith, knowing Jesus is beside us, ready to help.

“For there is one God, and there is one Mediator for all people – Jesus Christ,” 1 Timothy 2:5.

“Jesus Christ has negotiated a new covenant between God and us,” Hebrews 9:15.

Throughout Lent and beyond, may we always feel free to approach the Lord with what troubles us – no matter what!

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020

…

God and Abraham have a candid conversation

“The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Fear not, Abram. I AM your shield, and your reward shall be exceeding great.’

"And Abram said, ‘Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I have no child but my steward, Eliezer of Damascus? Since You have given me no seed, the person born in my house is my only heir.’

"And the word of the LORD came again, saying, ‘This shall not be your heir, but he who comes from your own loins shall be your heir.’ Then the LORD brought Abram outdoors and said, ‘Look toward heaven and count the stars if you can number them. That’s how many descendants you will have.’

"And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted this as righteousness. Then the LORD said, ‘I AM the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to inherit.’" Genesis 15:1-7.

God talked with Abram and told him His plans, but even in a dream or vision, Abram would not have heard any of this unless he had listened. But he did listen, and immediately he heard the Lord soothe his fears then promise to protect and bless him, and Abram believed.

Abram also spoke candidly with God, making it as clear as the sky that all the money in the world would not matter to him if he did not have someone to pass it on to – an heir who could also enjoy the blessings.

God responded to this concern by taking Abram outside and pointing to the stars as the countless descendants Abraham would eventually have. Then the LORD reminded Abram how he had been guided out of his homeland into another land that God promised to give. When Abram wondered about this inheritance, which could only occur after his death, God responded with a covenant – a pledge, a pact, a contract, a treaty – sealed in blood.

Questions: Do my prayers include time to listen to God? Am I honest with the LORD about my worries, wants, and needs? Do I carry on candid conversations with God as my dearest, closest, and best friend?

Prayer: Oh, LORD, I want to hear You as clearly as Abraham did! Strengthen my faith. Help me to listen to Your voice, do as You ask, and accept all that You give me and my family for all times and in all places. Give me, too, the courage to fear not the gift of being your heir, your child.

~~

© 2012, Mary Sayler

~~