This Week\’s Sunday School Lesson, \”The Comfort Of Prayer\”, Exodus 33:12-24, 11/23/2020

THE COMFORT OF PRAYER

Exodus 33:12-24

Starting with the first verse of this chapter, God told Moses to lead the
People toward the promised land, but He would not go with them

because of their stiff-necked heart and He would kill them
along the way. He would send an angel to guide them.

The Nation of Israel heard the Word of God and became sadden
Then God told them to take off all their jewelry. This indicated
His extreme dissatisfaction with them.

Moses immediately began to intercede for the lives of the people….
just as Jesus intercedes for us.

PLEAD YOUR CASE BEFORE GOD
V:12 Moses said to the Lord, \”You have been telling me, \’Lead these people,\’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, \’I know you by name and you have found favor with me.\’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.\”

A. From Moses conversation it would appear that he was concerned that
God had not forgiven Israel for breaking the covenant that they
Had agreed to by worshipping the golden calf.

1. Moses was concerned that the favor God had shown Israel was
   gone.
   a. One could conclude that God no longer favored Israel since He said
   HE would not go with them.
   b. One could assume that God was no longer patient with Israel since He
   said He would destroy them if they were in His sight.
2. Moses reminded God of His promised Word that He had found
   favor with him.
3. God’s plan for us includes the now and all future events.
4. The favor of God includes the good, the bad, and His chastisement.

B. Moses reminded God that the stiff-necked people were His.

1. It is our sins that are the root cause of our trials and tribulations.

2. We grieve God by our disobedience to His commands.
3. Our existence during the hardships of life is the evidence of His
    grace and favor.
4. God’s favor includes the consequences of our sins. 

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
V:14 The Lord replied, \”My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.\”
15 Then Moses said to him, \”If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?\”
A. We have to believe God’s Word even if it is beyond our understanding.
1. Moses pressed God for assurance in his present situation.

2. God’s promises includes the situation of the present generation
    and all future generations.

B. Verse 14 is the assurance of the fulfillment of the promise of Israel
In the promised land even though it would be 40 years later,

1. To get to the later, God deals with our present sins.

2, People know we have the favor of God because we continue
    to proclaim His name and rely on Him. 
3. What distinguishes us from the world is our hope in God and

     their hope in themselves. 
4. The fact that we have the conscience to call on God is the
     evidence of His favor.

HEAR GOD’S ANSWER
V:17 And the Lord said to Moses, \”I will do the very thing you have asked because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.\”

A. This verse is the same promise that Jesus gives us today.

  John 14:13-14
  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring     
  glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I 
  will do it. 

1. Do not take this verse lightly or out of its context.
2. The promise has a condition.
3. Our asking must have as it\’s purpose giving God the glory.

B. Prayers are not to be selfish but must include God’s favor to
others.

1. Moses was concerned for the future of Israel.
2. Moses knew Israel would continue to sin against God and would
   need God’s presence.
   B. Let me suggest the “know you by name” phrase means God knows
   that your heart is for Him.
3. If your heart is fixed on God you can do all things.
4. It is in the promises He made.
5. God\’s pleasure with us is through our obedience to Him.
6. Moses’ desire was for the Nation of Israel to enter the promised land.

STOP, LOOK AND SEE THE GLORY OF THE LORD

V:18 Then Moses said, \”Now show me your glory.\”
19 And the Lord said, \”I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

A.. The fact that we can continue to come to God with our prayer
requests are evidence of His glory.

1. God’s glory is all around us. Open your eyes and see.
2. The sun is 92 million miles from the earth, but I can see it
   and feel its heat.
3. Stars are 5.9 trillion miles from the earth, yet I can see them at
   night.
   B. The formula for water is H20. One molecule of hydrogen and two
   molecules of Oxygen, which cannot be seen with the eye.
4. It takes 1.67 sextillions molecules of H20 to make one drop of
   water for me to see.
5. Only God can make all the water I need.
   C. God’s goodness passes before our eyes continuously.
   1. I can see the effect of the wind blowing, but I can’t see
      the wind.
   2. In the wind, God proclaims His own name.
   3. The best man can do is study the creation of God, but can never
      duplicate His works.
      D. God has mercy and compassion for us because of His love
   4. We don’t deserve His mercy, but it bestowed upon us every day
      we live.
   5. God shows His compassion for us even in our sinful state.
   6. God has no obligation to us but loves those who are obedient to Him.
   7. It is only by His grace and mercy that He allows us to know Him. 1 Cor 1:18
      For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
      but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.
   8. Since God made everyone, He made some to perish and some
      to be saved.
      a. God made some to know Him and some to deny Him.

GOD SHOWS YOU HIS POWER AND GLORY DAILY
V:20. But,\” he said, \”you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.\”
21 Then the Lord said, \”There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back, but my face must not be seen.\”

A. Moses\’ insistence prompted God to act.

1. the power of prayer is God acting on your behalf.
2. No man has seen the face of God at any time, but we

    see His back all the time.

B. God positions us in life through our circumstance to see His
Power.

1. We are witnessing the power of God with the worldwide rapid spread of this Covid 19 virus.
2. I believe we will see God working through science to bring this virus under control.

THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRAY

Rev. M. Mitchell
Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church
5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North
Houston, Texas 77041

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