The wonder of these two cases is worthy of our attention. It is amazing how long we can wait and how bad things can become before we get to the point of interceding for one another. It was quite the opposite for the Lord Jesus: After He had given amazing demonstrations of His ability to help the needy, He wondered at their unbelief in accepting His teaching.
A careful reading of the whole chapter of Isaiah 59 reveals conditions similar to our day. The condition Isaiah describes is summed up in verses 14-15: “Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. And truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.” One would think that in such a very deplorable and degenerated condition someone would try to intercede. How different this is from Moses’ actions when Israel made the golden calf and the Lord told Moses He would destroy Israel for their wickedness. Moses was first unaware of their condition and then angry with them. But when it came to the point that God would destroy the people of Israel and make a nation from Moses’ family, he declined the offer and interceded for Israel. His heart was moved in loving care for them in spite of the greatness of their evil. And God was willing to accept the plea for mercy and not destroy them. May we not see in what took place that God was looking for an Israelite to intercede with Him on their behalf. The intercession would make it possible for the greatness of His mercy to be known to all, and that without compromising righteousness.
Abigail was another who, when she saw the impending judgment on her husband’s house, went to intercede with David. “When Abigail saw David, she hasted ... and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid” (1 Sam. 25:23-24). She was willing to take the blame for the wrong, and in doing so, she upheld both mercy and truth. These examples give us to know how God views intercession and how He responds to those who intercede for others. As we observe needs around us, which often are the very result of our own weakness and failure, may we be strengthened to step up in faith before things deteriorate, and seriously intercede for those around us.
The Wonder of the Unbelief
The Lord Jesus Christ, the perfect servant, was the arm of God’s salvation according to righteousness. He was sent to meet the needs of those around Him demonstrating how He was able to meet those urgent needs. It says of Him, “When the Sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands?” (Mark 6:22And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? (Mark 6:2)). But because of unbelief, “He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief” (vss. 5-6). With Him there was power present to meet the need, but unbelief hindered them from appropriating what was available. They could look on the words and works with amazement but then doubt. This caused Him to wonder at their unbelief. Let us not doubt. The realization of the Lord’s ability to meet needs is what should encourage us to intercede in prayer. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen. 18:1414Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. (Genesis 18:14)). “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:22Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)). Samuel would say to Israel, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way” (1 Sam. 12:23). Let us not commit the double fault of ignoring the urgent needs around us and doubting the Lord’s desire and ability to meet those needs. “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:11And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. (Luke 11:1)).
D. C. Buchanan