Blessing English Emagazine August 2020 | Seite 14

Bymonline.org | August 2020 earth?' Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.'” (vv 11-13). The Lord relented and spared the people in answer to his prayer. Moses was a man of compassion and he loved his people so much that he always stood at the gap to intercede for them. He was even willing to be blotted out of the book of the Lord for their sake (v32). Such was his compassion! Moses was not driven to climb up the ladder. He was not concerned about his success. He was worried about his people. This concern of his saved a whole nation from the fury of God's wrath. Shall we commit ourselves to selfless prayer for those around us? 3. People Willing To Risk Their Lives Haman wanted to annihilate the whole tribe of the Jews in order to take vengeance on Mordecai. He persuaded the king to pass a decree to this effect (Est 3:12,13). When Mordecai entreated Esther to plead the case before the king, Esther resolved to beseech the king at the cost of her life. She asked for prayer support but was also determined to fight till death. See how she replies him back: “Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish” (4:6), knowing fully well that she will be put to death if the king doesn't stretch out his golden sceptre. God honoured her bold step and granted favour in the eyes of the king. Her request was granted and the Jews were saved (8:9-17). Where are the Esthers of God today? Do we love our lives more than we love God? Can we sit with folded hands and allow calamity to sweep over our people? 4. People Who Are Zealous The Philistines had camped against the Israelites and Goliath was challenging them for a one-on-one combat. He was cursing the God of the armies of Israel. Even the king of Israel, Saul was afraid to engage in a battle against this giant. While Saul and his army saw the well trained giant before them, David, who came there to enquire about his brothers' well-being heard the insults that Goliath was hurling against the Living God. Though he was untrained for a battle and could not walk around with the armour, he volunteered himself to fight the enemy. From a human perspective, he had nothing but five stones and a sling for his defence. But hear what he says, “You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Sam 17:45). The Lord, who does not delight in the strength of the horses, hands over Goliath and the Philistines to him. He did not even own a sword to severe his enemy's head. Dearly beloved, the Name of the Lord is being treated with contempt. Are you not aware of it? Does not the zeal for His Name consume you? Are you wondering whether the Lord who delivered you from the claws of the lion and the bear is sufficient to protect you against this uncircumcised Philistine? Is the absence of a sword keeping you from fighting the Lord's battle? Though David picked five smooth stones, he had to use only one and the Lord provided a sword for him to severe the head of his enemy. So, do not hesitate. March Page 14