Daily Devotional for Thursday, August 18

Intercession at Sinai

There is a saying: It is not far from the penthouse to the outhouse. You all get that; it simply means that the trip from being on top of the world to dragging the bottom is not a long one. Usually, you take that trip because of your own wrong decisions due to lack of prayer, stubbornness and impatience. Here, the Israelites were guilty of all three! Building a golden calf was definitely the wrong choice. Their stubbornness led them to think they knew best. Their impatience in waiting for God to speak to Moses led them in a bad direction. So, they built themselves a false god to worship, and God was angry. 

God’s anger was justified, as His anger is always justified. He had given the people everything, and in short order they forgot all of that. Moses was quick to intercede on their behalf, pointing out that God would best display His power and glory not by destroying them, but by forgiving and restoring them. Does this theme sound familiar? It should, because falling away, followed by God’s wrath, followed by restoration happened more times than you can even count. 

Like the people of Israel, you have One who makes intercession for you, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. You need not be trapped in a pattern of falling away, chastisement and restoration. While your sin certainly hampers your fellowship with God, your relationship with Him can never be severed. 

JUST A THOUGHT: While the blood of Jesus spares you from eternal punishment, the temporal chastisement of your Heavenly Father is still possible.

Wally Fry