25/02/2015 - PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A HARD TEST

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And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.” Exodus 32.9,10

As I have already said in other messages, we cannot disdain our relationship with the Father, for one day, we will be accountable for the ministry that He entrusted us. The Most High had given the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to Moses like his own sheep. He had the obligation of keeping them, even if God Himself said the contrary. Therefore, he put himself in front of the Lord and did not allow the destruction of his flock (Ex 32.11-13).

Read the following verses to see that Moses did more than a simple request to God – he made a brilliant defense in favor of the Israelites. It is not enough to say no, we must talk about what is registered, as Jesus did in the temptations that He suffered in the desert (Mt 4.1-10). It is impossible for what was written not to come true, even if it seems something foolish or unnecessary, for Scriptures cannot fail.

Forty days were enough for the Israelites to have vile thoughts and fall in sin. It does not matter what test that comes to you, do not let the evil ideas or filthy desires to dominate your heart. It is interesting to note that even Aaron, the high priest, let himself be controlled by the people’s requests and made the golden calf. That was a filthy party in all senses. They even said that they were taken out of Egypt because of the calf (Ex 32.1-6).

The Lord knows all that goes on with all people. Even before a thought arises, or that a word is pronounced or an act practiced, He already knows it (Ps 139.1-16). Whoever deems to be acting hidden from God does not know that he is being a fool, for all things are naked and visible to His eyes (Hb 4.13). There is nothing more gratifying than to be honest with Him (Ps 18.25).

The Most High told Moses to descend to see what his flock had done. In those times, like today, the people that paid attention to the temptation fell in sin. We must remember that we deal with people, whose natural flesh is weak, and they need to watch and pray so they do not fall into temptation (Ml 14.38). It is unpleasant to live with he who can be used by the devil, but this is the kind of people that we have around us.

Everyone who allows himself to be deceived by temptation and sin, walk astray from the way that God appointed him, and therefore, besides losing the divine presence, he never straightens his life again. We have the ministry of reconciliation so that we may never abandon or condemn he who falls (2 Co 5.18), for if we do so, we will be throwing him into the kingdom of darkness. We are the only ones who can make the prayer of faith that heals, delivers, and also forgives sins.

In those days, the entire congregation could have been killed, because in the zeal of His wrath, the Lord would exterminate all. Moses’ intercession solved the problem. Will you be as great as Moses? Jesus said that we will be forgiven if we forgive.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares