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
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