Thoughts for Life: #53 The Prayer of Moses

Samuel Chadwick: Moses prayed that he might be allowed to complete his work. He had undertaken it at God's command. For forty years he had nursed and led a murmuring and ungrateful people through the wilderness.

The promised land was within sight. What more natural then that he should desire to see his life-work completed? Besides, to all human judgment he could not be spared.
(Google image, Moses on Mt. Pisgah)

He would be needed in Canaan even more than in the wilderness. there were enemies to be driven out the constitution to be established, and the people to be settled.

If he should leave them now, the work of forty years would fall to pieces. Internal strife would wreck the nation. No wonder he prayed that he might go over.

In spite of a nation's entreaty, regardless of his record, and notwithstanding his earnest pleading he died; died with his work unfinished; died when he seemed to be most needed; died with the hope of years at last within his reach. Is it not often so?

A life-work is accepted as a divine appointment. The powers of brain and muscle, time and energy, all a man is goes into the task at the cost of personal comfort and ambition.

You pray for your work, that God will prosper it and bless you in it. That is right. No man has a right to be in any business for which he cannot pray. God does not put a man into business for worthless or unworthy ends.

He means the work to prosper; and yet how often it happens that the prayers of good men seem to fail. Plans over which they have prayed collapse. Competitors prevail. Misfortune overwhelms. Ill health disables. Death calls, and the work of years is left unfinished.

Death at such times seems almost spiteful in its cruelty. It strikes the arm as it stretches the hand to grasp the prize; takes the parent and counselor when he can least be spared; passes by the weak and takes the strong; strikes down the burden-bearer and spares the burden.

We plead that we may stay a little longer: only a little while; just till this is completed; just till the children are grown up or the business settled; and the answer is "Get thee up into the top of Pisgah"—and die.

David wanted to build a house for God. His heart was set on it. God praised him for wanting to do it, but He forbade him (1 Chron. 22:8).

So is many a heart set with a yearning that prays and aches for a work that is withheld. The Gadarene man Jesus saved with a mighty salvation prayed that he might go with Jesus and Jesus sent him home (Luke 8:38). (pp.127-129)

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THE PATH OF PRAYER
By Samuel Chadwick
(Click on the title to buy)

Used by the permission of

www.cliffcollege.ac.uk
(Italics added)

Let's pray-

Father, we can sympathize with Moses, as he prays to be able to continue to live, and to be allowed to finish what he considered was the fulfillment of what You had given him to do.

No doubt he felt that there was so much more for him to do for the people; enemies to conquer, land to divide and to keep the peace among the tribes.

In spite of his pleading, regardless of his record, and notwithstanding his earnest pleading, he died. Died with his work unfinished; died when he seemed to be most needed; died with the hope of years at last within his reach.

So is many a heart with a yearning that prays and aches for a work that isn't finished.
Father, may we allow You to be God, and to put our faith and trust in Your wisdom, when we just don't understand the details of what takes place, upsetting our plans and hopes.
Help us honor You with our lives, no matter what we think should be a better way of handling matters, as You see the big picture of our lives. You know what is best, and we'll trust You to guide us to believe You've got things under control.
In the name of Jesus we pray for Your Spirit's help to believe in Your Love, that it covers us completely, and that we'll understand things as time goes on, and not complain or question Your decisions for the way things turn out. Amen

Today's Bible verses-

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV) "Though the fig tree may
not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor
of the olive may fail and the fields yield no food;
though the flock be cut off from the fold, and there
be no herd in the stalls, (v.18) Yet I will rejoice in
the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
(v. 19) The LORD God is my strength; He will make
my feet life deer's feet, and He will make me walk
on my high hills."

Micah 7:7 (NKJV) "Therefore I will look to the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will
hear me."

Micah 6:8 (NKJV) "He has shown you, O man, what
is good; and what does the LORD require of you but
to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with
your God?

Today's quote-

~ The Pocket New Testament League

“Peace” always follows “grace.” And peace only comes to believers through the grace of God. (Romans 5:1) “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the only peace that a sinner can have with a holy God. Why? Because we don’t have the ability to offer God anything that would be adequate payment for our wrongdoing and rebelliousness.

When Christ died for us, He paid our penalty, and by doing so, God in His grace provided the means for our salvation. So in a very personal way, I can say to the Lord, “The only thing I’ve ever brought You is more sin. Thank you for Jesus, I am grateful for His sacrifice and Your forgiveness.” God’s grace is followed by the peace He gives all people who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior." (Emphasis added)

Words of wisdom-

~ God came to us in Christ Jesus because we couldn't go to Him. He died for us, as we couldn't pay the price of our sins.

~ We try to barter with God, to attempt to do enough to please Him. We can't do anything for our salvation: Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross paid it for us!

Today's question-

How can I worship God with my life?

We need to realize first, that we are made in His image for a divine purpose. He told our first parents to subdue the earth and to populate it. God's plan was that we procreate and fill the earth with others who'll love and honor Him with their lives.
We were created male and female for living in unity and for enjoyment, He expects us to understand that the greater design for marriage is a God-honoring arrangement. Marriage is magnificent in many ways. It shows us how Christ loves us as His Bride; like husbands are to love their wives unconditionally. As Christ is the head of the Church, so is the husband to be the head of his marriage, caring for his wife and children. Marriage points to Christ as the perfect Husband example.
Our great need is to do what pleases the Father, and to obey His Spirit's leading in our homes. His desire is for us to honor Him in all that we say, do and think. We are to make decisions in order to face temptations with answers that affirm that Jesus is our Savior and Lord of our lives. We are to be champions for Christ and bring Him honor in every detail.

Today's sermon spotlight-

JUNE 23, 2019