Exodus 32:31-32 And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.… It was a very happy thing for Israel that they had an intercessor. It is not that God needs it. God does not need the intercession of Jesus Christ — Christ told us so. "I say not that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father Himself loveth you." And we believe that as the death of Jesus Christ availed for the believers in the Old Testament. so did His intercession — that there was an anticipation of the intercession of Christ when Abraham interceded, or Moses. I. And first let me give you THREE REASONS WHY INTERCESSION IS A VERY HIGH DUTY. 1. It is a power given to every man to wield — a power of love, a mighty instrument for which we are responsible. 2. St. Paul puts it very prominently. You will remember that, writing to Timothy, he says, "I exhort that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks be made for all men." What would we give for love that does not speak in prayer? 3. And you are never so exactly a copy of Christ as when you are praying for a fellow-creature. II. THE PRIVILEGE OF IT IS EXCEEDING GREAT. Let me mention one or two of the privileges. 1. It is such a beautiful way of giving expression to love. 2. It revives the spirit of prayer in ourselves. III. LET ME GIVE YOU ONE OR TWO WORDS OF PRACTICAL ADVICE RESPECTING INTERCESSORY PRAYER. 1. Like other prayer, it must have intensity. 2. It should be accompanied with thanksgiving. 3. Let me also suggest to you that without which no duty is ever well performed — your method with your intercessory prayer.Of course it must be left to every one's own judgment how to do it. Only, have method, and have a period of the day, one of your stated prayers, which shall be, if not entirely, yet to a great extent, given to intercession. The method will be helpful, and it will give strength to the action, for what we do with design and plan we do always better than that which is left to the feelings of the moment. And amongst the arrangements of prayer it will be well to settle with yourselves when, and where, and how much shall be given to intercession. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. |
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