Exodus 32

ScriptureExodus 32:11, 14¹¹ But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God… ¹⁴ Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.Observation - What does it say?As Moses and Joshua were with God on Mt. Sinai receiving the 10 commandments, the Israelites grew impatient in waiting for them to come back down. When Moses and Joshua finally come down the mountain, they discover that in their impatience, the Israelites had turned to worshiping an idol that Aaron made for them. Moses was furious with them and so was God. God told Moses he planned to destroy them, but Moses prayed and asked God to have mercy. In response to Moses' prayer, God relented and didn’t destroy them. Understanding - What does it mean?Prayer is input for the outcome.Psalm 106:23 references this very point in Israel’s history: So he said he would destroy them-- had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.An entire nation of people was spared from destruction because Moses prayed for them. Talk about having favor with God! Throughout scripture we see that God gives all his people the same favor as he invites them to seek him and give him input for the outcome.Ezekiel 22:30 [God said,] “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.”James 4:2  You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.If only we would ask God, things would be different! As we come to God in prayer, we have the ability to alter situations, to partner with God in saving people from an eternity separated from him, to see cities and nations changed by God’s power, and more!Life ApplicationAm I giving input for the outcome?Ask God who and what he wants me to pray for. And, pray with faith that God will hear and answer!

God, thank you for the amazing privilege of being able to come to you in prayer with confidence that you will answer! Teach us to be a people that prays and seeks your face so that those around us can experience your mercy and saving power. Show us what to pray for and where you are calling us to stand in the gap and intercede. Amen.

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