pleaded – Praying Pint

49.m. Wilderness – 13.s. “I pleaded with the LORD at that time”

Deu 3:23-29 “And I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying, ‘O Lord GOD, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.’ But the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the LORD said to me, ‘Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again. Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, for you shall not go over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.’ So we remained in the valley opposite Beth-peor.

Moses knew God was rich in mercy and forgiveness. He knew there was no harm in asking God to relent from His previous judgment that Moses would not see the Promised Land. We can appreciate what a painful thing this was for Moses. He lived the first 40 years of his life confident in his own ability to deliver Israel. He spent the next 40 years of his life having that confidence demolished as he tended his father-in-law’s sheep. He spent the last 40 years of his life being used of God to do what he was called to do. Now, he was not allowed to see the end result. No wonder Moses pleaded with the LORD.

God did not want to hear Moses’ appeal on this matter. Because of his sin at Meribah (Numbers 20), where he misrepresented God as being angry with Israel when He was not, Moses could not enter the Promised Land. This may seem an excessively harsh punishment for Moses. It seemed that after only one slip-up, he then had to die short of the Promised Land. But Moses was being judged by a stricter standard because of his leadership position with the nation, and because he had a uniquely close relationship with God. It is right for teachers and leaders to be judged by a stricter standard (James 3:1); though it is unrighteous to hold teachers and leaders to a perfect standard. It is true the people’s conduct was worse than Moses’, but it is irrelevant. (Guzik)

Moses prayed, that, if it were God’s will, he might go before Israel, over Jordan into Canaan. We should never allow any desires in our hearts, which we cannot in faith offer up to God by prayer. God’s answer to this prayer had a mixture of mercy and judgment. God sees it good to deny many things we desire. He may accept our prayers, yet not grant us the very things we pray for. It God does not by his providence give us what we desire, yet if by his grace he makes us content without, it comes to much the same. Let it suffice thee to have God for thy Father, and heaven for thy portion, though thou hast not every thing thou wouldst have in the world. God promised Moses a sight of Canaan from the top of Pisgah. Though he should not have the possession of it, he should have the prospect of it. Even great believers, in this present state, see heaven but at a distance. God provided him a successor. It is a comfort to the friends of the church of Christ, to see God’s work likely to be carried on by others, when they are silent in the dust. And if we have the earnest and prospect of heaven, let these suffice us; let us submit to the Lord’s will, and speak no more to Him of matters which he sees good to refuse us. (Henry)

34.h. “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?”

Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

We read in Matthew 18:15 what we are to do if a brother/sister sins against us. We are to go to them alone and tell them of the offense and what to do if they are not repentant. Here, Jesus explains further how forgiveness is to be applied to a repentant brother/sister. There is no limit on how many times forgiveness is to be applied to the repentant heart of the offender no matter how big the offense or action. We can come up with hypothetical situations where our forgiveness to others seems impossible. This is true until we see the great price that was paid for our sin (offenses) against God. We reject His worthiness of having an active presence in our lives. We neglect to honor and glorify Him in all we say thing and do. We want to please ourselves more than please Him. We display greed, lust, hate, anger, pride, self-worth, self-reliance, and worldly desires giving no thought to Jesus Christ whom we are to serve, honor, and glorify. We limit our forgiveness, withhold our kindness and generosity, and we display no want to and make no attempt reconcile with our offender. Contrast this with while we were sinning and giving no thought to our actions and how they might be offensive to God, or how they might hurt others, or how they might lead others to do the same, God, sent His Son to pay the debts of all of our individual sins. If we were to try to count the number of our sins they could not be counted, for they are more than we can know. And yet, God sent His Son to redeem us by paying a high price for our sin, His sacrifice, suffering, and death on the cross. If we were to stop right here one would think the debt is paid and I am forgiven. However there must be a repentant heart, a recognition of an inability to pay the debt of our sin, and belief, trust, faith, and reliance in what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross has not only redeemed them, but that all of these sins are forgiven by this act of grace and mercy. Repentance, turning away from all worldly lusts, desires, and hopes, and clinging to forgiveness in Jesus Christ alone will result in a restored relationship with Him.

This is our example of applying forgiveness to brothers and sisters who have done offense against us and have a repentant heart. We certainly will come up against those who do offense against us and do not repent of it. Let our heart be pure in these matters. Though they might not repent our heart can remain pure for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. When Paul said to allow ourselves to be wronged for the unity and reputation of the church rather than to continue to harbor ill thoughts and cause division, he was saying that there is a place in our heart for forgiveness toward another person even though they do not repent. We do not need to continue to dwell on the offense for in doing so it will only rob us of joy, peace, and rest. In these occurrences I think it is best that we try to reconcile and then place and leave it all in the hands of Jesus Christ. As hard as this may seem to do, it is what honors and glorifies Jesus Christ and will give rest and peace to your soul.

There are other times our offense will come at the hands of someone who is a brother or sister in Christ. In these matters we need to look at them like Jesus Christ did while being mocked, spit upon, whipped, and nailed to the cross, when He said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”. How can we expect them to act like a follower of Jesus Christ when they are not? Their thoughts and actions will be that of the world and of Satan the influencer of it. We can expect nothing different. However, what we can do is to look to the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us in our thoughts and actions so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified through the grace, mercy and love we are empowered to show.

25.x. “The LORD detests all the proud of heart.”

2 Corinthians 12:5 I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Chronicles 26:16   But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God

2 Chronicles 32:25-26    But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him

Daniel 5:20    But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.

Judges 2:3   So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides,

Job 2:7   So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

Luke 13:16    And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”

Do you ever wonder what turns the heart and soul of a person, proud? What is it that flips a switch in us and makes us think highly of what we have accomplished? We read of Paul who was given a thorn in the flesh and we know that it was given to him, by God, through Satan. The purpose was to keep in from not becoming proud. A proud heart will put self in front of God, think more highly of themselves than they ought, and look at others as less than they are. We are not immune to pride. It can attack us when we least expect it. It can start with simple enough thoughts of accomplishment but then on our own or with a nudge from Satan can turn into more. It is something I did. It is something I can do better than you. It is something reflecting my talent and superiority. It is something I can afford and you can’t. It is something your children have succeeded in. It can be in your intellect, strength, physical appearance. We are not immune to this. So how does a person fall for the bait of pride? When we are lax in studying His Word. When we are living in the presence of this world and not in the presence of God. We live to please ourselves more than God. When we honor and glorify ourselves rather than God. When we are consumed with worldly desires and wants over things of God. Yes, it will happen when we put anything number 1 and God somewhere else down in the list of priorities.

Do we think that any of our abilities came about by the sheer will of our mind or strength? Do we think it is of our doing? Our physical strength, mental intellect, and other abilities all come from God. Some will use these abilities to do some of the most vicious and hardhearted crimes against mankind. We know scripture tells us of times when bad things were done by people to Christians and God used it for good. We seem to have the ability to use our abilities that were given to us for good and what should be used for the single purpose of honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ into or for something bad and contrary to that very purpose. Our ability to think, do, speak, reason, understand, etc…. were all given to us, by God, and how we use them is freely given to us as well. Feed your heart, mind, and soul with God’s Word and pray for the ability to discern the temptation of pride.

Paul, once he understood and knew why God had “given” him this thorn in the flesh he was happy to bear it. He knew it was to keep him from becoming proud. Paul also knew this “Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 16:5 “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” We all ought to be so set against being proud that we seek God continually to expose it so that we can live to give Him “ALL” honor and glory.

140. Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit

1 Kings 8:54 Now as Solomon finished offering all this prayer and plea to the Lord, he arose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven. And he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying, “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”

1 Chronicles 28:9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Wholly true and with your whole heart and willing mind serving Jesus are indicators of a life that is intentional and committed. There was a great price paid for our salvation. Blood was shed and pain beyond what we can imagine was endured to death and freely given so that we could be redeemed from our sin and separation from God. The Hymn says it like this; “Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” When we are able to see the depth and width of our sin in the light of the Holiness of Jesus and we understand that were it not for His sacrifice we would be lost and awaiting our eternal doom and torment, our heart and mind become willing to wholly serve, honor, glorify, follow, and obey the author and finisher of our salvation. Sin knocks at our door every day and comes in many forms; lies, pride, lust, greed, self-serving, jealousy, anger, envy…. The word of God exposes these temptations and things that are starting to root in our heart and mind. If we think we can remain wholly true with a whole heart and mind and not be feeding on God’s word each day we are fooling ourselves. “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Without His active word in our life, we will slowly drift away from Him and lose sight and awareness of the price that was paid for our sin. Worthy of all praise is Jesus Christ. Worthy of our whole heart and mind and soul is Jesus Christ. Worthy of our service and obedience is Jesus Christ.

40. There is none like you, O LORD

Deuteronomy 3:24 “And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?

Nehemiah 9:32     “Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us,

Psalms 106:2     Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all his praise?

Psalms 145:3     Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Psalms 145:6     They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.

Deuteronomy 11:2    And consider today (since I am not speaking to your children who have not known or seen it), consider the discipline of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand and his outstretched arm,

Exodus 15:11     “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Jeremiah 32:18-21    You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts,  great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.  You have shown signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day in Israel and among all mankind, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day.  You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror.

Psalms 71:19    Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?

Jeremiah 10:6     There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might.

2 Samuel 7:22    Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Isaiah 40:25    To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.

Isaiah 40:18     To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?

If you were asked who is God or what is God how would you reply? Our understanding of Him starts with; Romans 1:19-20 For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Psalms 19:1-6 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

We would answer the question based on our understanding and knowledge of Him, our relationship with Him, and our closeness to Him. Time with Him and time spent seeking Him and time spent desiring Him and time spent worshiping Him, and time spent praying to Him, and time spent relying on Him, and time spent trusting Him and time spent hoping in Him, and time spent clinging to Him, and time spent following Him, and time spent obeying Him, and time spent listening to Him, and time spent in His word all develop, grow and nurture how we would answer these questions.

Think how hard it would be to answer these questions if you neglect or become complacent in your walk with Him. Even if you have a close walk with Him we seem to be limited in an adequate reply. All the words of the world would not scratch the surface of who God is. That is how awesome He is.

These lyrics of a song by Natalie Grant explain how we limit God by how we think of Him:

I tried to fit you in the walls inside my mind. I try to keep you safely in between the lines, I try to put you in the box that I’ve designed. I try to pull you down so we are eye to eye.

When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world? I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world. How could I make you so small? When you’re the one who holds it all. When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?

Just a whisper of your voice can tame the seas. So who am I to try to take the lead. Still, I run ahead and think I’m strong enough. When you’re the one who made me from the dust.

Oh, you set it all in motion. Every single moment. You brought it all to me. And you’re holding on to me.