The Power of Intercessory Prayer
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. - Isaiah 59:16 (KJV)
All of us like to see people get along, and a public quarrel is especially embarrassing. I must confess that I was a bit uneasy at times as Job's story unfolded. It bothered me to hear him utter words he would regret later on. It also bothered me to hear Job and his friends quarreling. And I must admit it bothered me to see that good man in such agony of body, mind, and spirit. But in the end, all things worked together for good.
Two major lessons stand out in these final chapters. One is found in Job 42:5-6, where Job says, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." This is the response of those to whom God makes a deeper revelation of Himself.
If pride is a troublesome problem for you, spend some time in the presence of Jesus Christ, God's perfect revelation of Himself. Read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Ask God to help you see the greatness of the majesty of Christ and the ugliness of sin. When we see God as He is, and we see ourselves as we are, we will fall before Him in repentance.
The second lesson is found in 42:10: "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." Job's troubles began in the malice of Satan; his release had its roots in God's mercy. And when did the Lord turn everything around? When Job prayed for his friends.
Ask God to help you see the power of intercessory prayer and how He delights to see us on our knees praying for one another.
Prayer
Lord, let me see You as You are so that I can worship You in truth. Amen.
To Ponder
To see God as He is enables us to pray for our friends as they are. |
