By James Goll
Encounters Network
Email: info@encountersnetwork.com

The Tenacious Prayer of Moses

Moses' holy arguments with God prevailed and released God to act in mercy. Let's take a look at some of these great prayers from the life of Moses.

Prayers From Exodus

1. Exodus 32:9-14: "And the Lord said to Moses, 'I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them, and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.'

a. Moses argued from the history of God's redeeming acts for Israel. He told God that it would be out of character with His great acts of mercy if He destroyed Israel now.

b. Moses argued from the glory of God's name. "Do not give them a reason to slander You because You do not provide and care for Your people" (Exodus 32:12).

c. Moses argued from God's faithfulness to His loyal servants: Isaac, Abraham, and Israel, and from the promises He had given them. He boldly quoted back to God the promise He had made and held God to His own word (Exodus 32:13).

2. Exodus 33:12-23: "Then Moses said to the Lord, 'See, Thou dost say to me, "Bring up this people!" But Thou Thyself hast not let me know whom Thou wilt send with me. Moreover, Thou hast said, "I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight." Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found favor in Thy sight, let me know Thy ways, that I may know Thee, so that I may find favor in Thy sight. Consider too, that this nation is Thy people.'

"Then he said to Him, 'If Thy presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Thy sight, I and Thy people? Is it not by Thy going with us, so that we, I and Thy people, may be distinguished from all other people who are upon the face of the earth?'"

a. A.W. Tozer stated that if the Holy Spirit had been removed from the New Testament Church, 95% of what they did would have ceased and 5% would have remained. He went on to comment that if the Holy Spirit was removed from today's Church, 95% of what they would do would continue and only 5% would cease.

b. Let us be as Moses and lift a cry for God's presence to be released and go before us! May the forerunner spirit be poured out again and may we, the Church, be filled, led by, and captured by the loveliness of His great presence.

Prayers From Numbers

1. Numbers 14:11-19: "And the Lord said to Moses, 'How long will this people...not believe in Me...? I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.' But Moses said to the Lord, 'Then the Egyptians will hear of it...and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land...If Thou dost slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Thy fame will say, "Because the Lord could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness..."'"

a. Once again, Moses pleads before God that His fame would spread and His great name be vindicated (verses 13-16).

b. In verse 17, Moses cries out for God's power to be revealed.

c. Moses then reminds the Lord of His character, of being slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness (verse 18).

d. Finally, Moses stands in the gap (verse 19) and confesses the sin of his people, "Pardon, I pray..."

2. Numbers 14:20-21: "So the Lord said, 'I have pardoned them according to your word: but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.'"

a. Verse 20 is very pivotal in the understanding of these principles. The Lord answers the intercessory plea, "According to your (Moses') word." God listened to the voice of a man and, in response, pardon was granted instead of judgment.

b. After this pardon, a profound revelation is released (verse 21). The Lord pours forth His heart and declares, "All the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord!"

c. The prophetic promise was released after man presented his case before God. May it be so again today!

Steps to His Glory

Following the Pattern

1. Crisis - Numbers 14:11-12
2. Reminding God of His covenant nature - Numbers 14:13-17
3. Revelation of mercy - Numbers 14:18
4. The desperate cry - Numbers 14:19
5. Pardoned by your word - Numbers 14:20
6. The prophetic declaration of His glory - Numbers 14:21
7. The Call - Numbers 14:24 - and the requirements

The Principles Today

In this insightful passage we find steps revealed to His glory being released. We must ask the question: Are these principles true for us today, as well? If so, What is the response needed for these same results to come to pass in our generation?

When God Turns His Head Earthward

What Moved the Heart of God?

As I have pondered the principles found here, I find that the Lord responded to Moses' pleas by going from one extreme (judgment) to the far other side of declaring profound prophetic destiny. What moved the heart of God? What changed God's mind?

1. As recorded in Numbers 14:19, Moses makes his appeal for pardon - not on the basic of the peoples' merit - but according to the greatness of His mercy. Moses had a revelation that the Father's heart was one of mercy.

2. Moses also saw that God's mercy was continual - not just occasional - as again indicated in the phrase, "You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."

What Moves the Heart of God Today?

How does a "Breakthrough" come? What will it take to change the mind of God in this generation?

1. Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." God's nature is the same. What moved God's heart yesterday will again today.

2. James 2:13: "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment."

a. If you want mercy, you must give mercy.

b. Always remember, there is always a higher dimension to walk in. Look up into the Father's heart and deep in the center of His bosom is a heart of mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

c. Therefore, align yourself with what is in God's heart. Lift a cry for mercy.

According to Your Word!

God's response to Moses' plea of desperation was that of, "I have pardoned them according to your word." Whose word? Moses' word!

Yes, even today God wants to bend His head and His ear earthward and release mercy. Perhaps, He is waiting on you. When He hears His heart beating in the heart of an earthen vessel, once again we will have the same results!

God will listen to the voice of man when man's voice echoes that which is in agreement with the Father's heart! Let mercy triumph over judgment - again, again and again!

James W. Goll
Encounters Network
Email: info@encountersnetwork.com

Posted to Kyrieology on 9/11/08 from Elijahlist.com